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SOME TRUTHS AND WISDOM OF 
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE 



SOME TRUTHS 

AND WISDOM OF 

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE 



Compiled by 
MARGARET BEECHER 



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NEW YOKK 
THE PULPIT PRESS 

36 East Twenty-first Street 
MCMIV 








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Two Copiet Received 




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I904 


Copyright Entry 

Cl_aSS «- XXc. P4o- 

COPY 3 



Copyright, 1904, by 
MARGARET BEECHER 






"Christian Science awakens the sinner, 
reclaims the infidel, and raises from the 
couch of pain the helpless invalid. It 
speaks to the dumb the words of Truth, 
and they answer with rejoicing. It causes 
the deaf to hear, the lame to walk, and the 
blind to see. Who would be the first to 
disown the Christliness of good works 
when our Master says, 'By their fruits ye 
shall know them'?" 

Science and Health (page 342). 



HENRY WARD BEECHER 

"Not only does God think of us con- 
stantly and love us steadfastly, but there 
is a healing curative nature forever out- 
working from the divine mind upon ours, 
even although we may not co-operate vol- 
untarily with His will." 

The above quotation is taken from 
Henry Ward Beecher's sermon on "The 
Love of God," and from the text, "In 
this was manifested the love of God 
toward us, because that God sent his only- 
begotten Son into the world, that we 
might live through him. Herein is love, 
not that we loved God, but that he loved 
us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation 
for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, 
we ought also to love one another." — 
I John iv. 9-11. 

I believe that my grandfather, Henry 
Ward Beecher, an earnest seeker and a 

vii 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

brave fighter for the truth, would have 
accepted the teachings of Christian Sci- 
ence, could they have been put before 
him. And I believe that the good which 
he did in the world, and the power he ex- 
ercised were due to an instinctive work- 
ing and thinking along the lines that 
Christian Science has made so clear. 

Makgaret Beechee. 



Vlll 



INTRODUCTION 

"Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall 
make you free." — John viii. 32. 

The life of humanity has been one long 
search for Truth. Instinctively we have 
felt that Truth was essential to freedom. 
The promise quoted above has given us 
courage through the ages, and has kept 
us forever searching. The Truth was to 
be found, and once found, it was to make 
us free. 

The Truth has been found, and free- 
dom — real freedom- — has come for those 
that will see the Truth and accept it. 

Mrs. Eddy has given the Truth to the 
world in her complete exposition of the 
Science of Being, the one great book 
since the Bible, " Science and Health, with 
Key to the Scriptures." 

Millions of men and women have ac- 
l 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

cepted her message. It has given them 
health — or rather it has developed in them 
harmony, which is health. So-called dis- 
ease is only an effect of illusion and of 
delusion. 

This rediscovered Truth, based upon 
the teachings of Christianity, supplement- 
ing and infinitely expanding our under- 
standing of Christianity's meaning, has 
given perfect freedom to those that ac- 
cept it. 

The freedom which Christian Science 
gives is no mere material freedom, as the 
word "freedom" is commonly understood. 

That which is greatest and alone im- 
portant is the mind. As the mental is 
above the material, so is mental freedom 
above material freedom. 

A slave in a dungeon with hands and 
feet shackled may be absolutely a free 
man, if his mind is free. How much 
freer was St. Peter than the Roman 
jailers that watched above the deep, dark, 
stone pit in which St. Peter was confined? 

2 




Introduction 

Many a slave in prison, comforted by- 
Christianity's Truth, has been freer than 
the tyrant that put him in chains, though 
that tyrant might own and rule an empire. 

The freedom that Christian Science 
gives us is, first of all, freedom from the 
enemies that have ruined existence for so 
many. 

The Truth given to the world by Mrs. 
Eddy means freedom from falsehood, 
from error, i.e., from material beliefs 
whose influences make our lives material. 

Millions are alive to testify to the fact 
that in Mrs. Eddy's teachings they have 
indeed found freedom; and with it the 
power to live a free life, free from disease, 
from fear, jealousy, anger, distrust, from 
all the apprehensions and false beliefs that 
mean sorrowful lives to so many. 

We are not made to suffer. On the 
contrary, suffering and disease have no 
existence any more real than the delusions 
of an unfortunate maniac or of a drunk- 
ard tortured by delirium. 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

Those who cling to the old belief decry 
the statement that disease is not real. But 
let them go to any insane asylum, or to 
any hospital ward where drunkards rave 
in delirium. Those unfortunate sufferers 
will reply to their attendants just as the 
non-believer replies to the Christian Sci- 
entist. The maniac will persist in his 
statement that he is haunted by dreadful 
spectres, and will declare in a rage that 
they are visible to him. The drunkard, 
delirious, will affirm that he actually sees 
the hideous reptiles that torment and 
threaten him. These reply indignantly to 
their nurses who deny the reality of their 
false beliefs, as the man holding the old 
beliefs replies to the Christian Scientist. 
And it is interesting to note that the ordi- 
nary man, in dealing with such a case, 
uses — although imperfectly and uncon- 
sciously — Christian Science methods. He 
tells the sufferer that his visions and his 
wounds have no reality, and seeks to heal 
him by kindness and by mental influence. 



Introduction 

The fact that disease had no existence 
and can have no real hold upon us is one 
of the noble truths that the world owes to 
Mrs. Eddy. 

She shows man that he has dominion 
oyer all things ; that Good, or Love, is the 
only power, and the seeming evil, or error, 
has only the power we are willing to 
give it. 

Our minds are part of the one great 
Mind that pervades the universe and con- 
trols it harmoniously. Each of us has 
mental power sufficient to insure his own 
welfare, if he will but use that power as 
Christian Science teaches us to use it, and 
if he will but realize in his own life, mo- 
tives, and acts the fact that each of us is 
created in God's likeness and image. 

Every noble aspiration of humanity 
finds fullest expression in Mrs. Eddy's 
teachings. The noble minds that have 
grieved for the sufferings of others will 
find their comfort in this fact : that Chris- 
tian Science, once universally accepted, 

5 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

means universal peace, health, brother- 
hood, and happiness. 

The purpose of this book is twofold. 

First, to do what little I can to increase 
interest in and knowledge of the truth, to 
which I owe so much. 

And second, to put into the hands of 
other Christian Scientists certain con- 
densed and convincing statements of this 
Science. I have sought to prepare a book 
that might profitably be put into the 
hands of those sincerely inquiring for the 
truth and those still skeptical. 

Like untold thousands of others, I owe 
everything to the Truth that Mrs. Eddy 
has discovered — I owe to her my own hap- 
piness, the health and the happiness of 
those that are dearest to me. 

Most of the editorials and some of the 
other extracts gathered together in this 
small volume are replies to criticisms of 
Christian Science that have appeared 
from time to time in the press. 

The majority of them are written by 
6 



Introduction 

members of the Christian Science Board 
of Publication, whose duty it is to correct 
such misunderstandings. 

It has occurred to me that these articles 
and extracts, published in book form, 
might help to remove the veil of skep- 
ticism and prejudice which hides from so 
many the comfort, joy, and peace that are 
held out to all by the beautiful Truth, and 
which may be had merely for the asking. 

I have tried to gather together here 
such strong arguments and reasoning as 
must appeal to practical, reasoning minds. 

Among the many newspapers and pe- 
riodicals consulted, I acknowledge special 
indebtedness to the following: The Chris- 
tian Science Journal, Christian Science 
Sentinel, New York Evening Post, New 
York Commercial Advertiser, New York 
Times, New York Life, San Francisco 
Examiner, Boston Times, New York 
Evening Journal. 

Margaret Beecher. 



PART I 



SOME TRUTHS AND WISDOM 
OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE 

What Christian Science is Not 

To the Editor of "Life": 

Dear Sir — So many little articles, anec- 
dotes, and poems have recently appeared 
in Life on the subject of Christian Sci- 
ence, that it is now possible to gather from 
them with some degree of accuracy what 
Christian Science is not. For example, it 
is not "New Thought," as implied in some 
supposed "Love Letters," nor does any 
Christian Scientist consider himself a 
"Vibration of the Mind Universal," or 
a "Radiator of Hope," whatever these 
terms may mean. Christian Science is not 
"treating" anybody without his desire, nor 
"doing mentally" anything to anybody 
against his will. Therefore, it is not 
hypnotism, nor personal influence, nor 
willing another person. 

Searching the files of Life for possibly 
11 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

accurate characterizations, we also dis- 
cover that Christian Science makes no 
claims to being "psychic," or to giving 
"spiritualistic insight"; is not especially 
interested in "asparagus" beds, or "rats 
and green snakes"; and does not use the 
press for circulating false reports, or 
preach sermons denouncing other Chris- 
tian denominations, or even accuse phy- 
sicians, who lose patients, of having com- 
mitted manslaughter. 

In point of fact, Life credits Christian 
Scientists with being "happy," with hav- 
ing an "increasing membership roll," and 
with showing a "long list of the maimed 
and the halt now alleged to have been 
made whole." 

What Life cannot forgive is that Chris- 
tian Scientists "have not cured death," 
which is a very proper grievance for Life 
to have. It should be remembered, how- 
ever, that among the many qualities which 
Christian Scientists have not is also that 
of infallibility, and, therefore, they crave 

12 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

from their critics a little of that kindly 
consideration which seems to be accorded 
to members of all other denominations ex- 
cept their own. 

As a Christian Scientist, I also claim 
for my fellow-believers that they are not 
unreasonable. For instance, they do not 
assume that simply because a faith makes 
people better and happier, therefore the 
Founder of that faith must necessarily be 
evil-minded; they do not accuse the mem- 
bers of all the professions under the sun, 
of all the arts on earth, and all the occu- 
pations between the poles, of being mer- 
cenary, because they all, without excep- 
tion, accept remuneration for their labor; 
they do not call churches "corporations 
for profit," because most of them main- 
tain enormous denominational book con- 
cerns, nor do Christian Scientists abuse 
authors roundly for copyrighting their 
books and selling them to those who want 
to buy them, at the prices that people are 
willing to pay for them. Nor, so far as I 

13 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

can recollect, do Christian Scientists at- 
tempt to decide for these authors what the 
prices of their books shall be to people 
who do not want to buy them. 

There are other mistakes which Chris- 
tian Science teaches people to avoid, but I 
think those I have mentioned are quite 
important — in a way. 

W. D. McCrackan. 



Christian Science vs. Materialism 

INTELLIGENCE OF SCIENTISTS 

"A Chicago minister of an orthodox 
church startled his congregation some- 
what a Sunday or two ago by congratu- 
lating the advocates of Christian Science 
upon the progress they were making, and 
he declared that the growth of this sect 
'is a protest against the materialism of the 
age.' There can be but little doubt that 
this Chicago minister is correct. .The new 

14 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

sect has attracted a very intelligent and 
refined class of people — people in whom 
the spiritual element has either been de- 
veloped, or is capable of being developed. 
It also appeals to those who are weary and 
heavy laden. It is altogether probable 
that a majority of Christian Scientists 
have been drawn to this church because of 
the fact that it is very far removed from 
what is known as materialism. 

"Putting aside the peculiar doctrines of 
this latest sect in regard to disease, and 
you find a creed very simple, if indeed it 
may be called a creed at all. It is simply 
the doctrine of love as proclaimed by 
Christ. And these people for the most 
part seem to practise what they preach. It 
is said of them that they seldom speak evil 
even of their enemies." — Extract from 
editorial in Cedar Rapids (la.) Repub- 
lican. 



15 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 



A Question Answered 

May I be permitted to answer, in part, 
your query as to why Mrs. Eddy secures 
so many followers? It is because the 
practice of Christian Science results in 
that which men want above everything 
else, healthy bodies and harmony of ex- 
istence. She has not invented a new 
religion, t Christian Science contains no 
new teaching. It is rather a restatement 
of Christianity, a reaffirmation of the fun- 
damental propositions of Jesus' theology. 
He said, "Take no thought for your life, 
what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; 
nor yet for your body, what ye shall put 
on." And Paul declared, "Henceforth 
know we no man after the flesh." Chris- 
tian Science reiterates these teachings, it 
lays stress on the actuality of Spirit — God 
— and spiritual entities or things, and 
turns man's thought away from a contem- 
plation of matter, which Jesus said "prof- 

16 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

iteth nothing." This single example illus- 
trates the scope and mission of Christian 
Science, which propounds no new doc- 
trines, but calls attention to eternal truths 
about God and man, truths which were 
first enunciated by Jesus. 

When Jesus appeared upon the stage 
of mortal existence he taught a theology 
widely different from the scholasticism of 
the age. It is conceivable that those not 
in harmony with him asked themselves 
why it was that he secured so many fol- 
lowers. The answer then was to be found 
in the sick who were healed, the sinful who 
were transformed by the renewing of 
their minds. The same answer suffices to- 
day to account for the number of believers 
in Christian Science. It is no mere the- 
ory or abstract system of philosophy, (it 
is practical, definite, and provable, and 
therein lies its attractiveness.) Tt offers to 
a suffering humanity consolation, health, 
peace, all that man wishes for, and it is 
making good its promises by undeniable 

17 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

healing works. ) We do not need to search 
for, nor do we need to appeal to, social 
economy to find a reason for the popu- 
larity of Christian Science. It is because 
it gives results that are in every way satis- 
factory, to the beneficiary at least, if not 
to others. 

WlLLARD S. MATTOX, 

Bridgeport (Conn.) Farmer. 



Dean Farrar on Christian Science 

To the Editor of the " Transcript": 

The utterances of Dean Farrar in Sat- 
urday's Transcript are the swellings of 
the tide of progress, and are welcome 
words to all who believe more in Chris- 
tianity than sectarianism. The bigoted 
love of old error is, however, painfully 
strong still, and there are quiet prepara- 
tions being made for bitter war by 
churches and the medical profession 
against the Christian Scientist. 

18 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

The homoeopaths are now arming, for- 
getful of the days when their measure of 
truth was ignored and they persecuted. 
Perhaps the sectarian world is seeking to 
find some object on which to exercise the 
gathering wrath born of its own con- 
sciousness that something within the folds 
is wrong which is breeding consequences. 

Does the decay in church membership 
and the consequently weakened treasury 
so often bewailed by the modern congre- 
gation, seek to find its cause in the new 
and rapidly growing sect? Do the doc- 
tors feel the pinch? What if it calls itself 
"Christian" and is not according to evan- 
gelical views, is it Christian to attack it? 
What if the science is only in name and 
not in fact, is that a reason for an era of 
persecution? Do people die from so- 
called neglect of "proper remedies"? 
Surely the morgue and hospital are wit- 
nesses that there are deaths from civilized 
neglect, as the emaciated bodies of the 
starved cry out against the humanity, the 

19 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

Christian (?) humanity, that could have 
saved them and did not. Are doctors in- 
fallible, or shall we thank God for the 
blessing of being killed scientifically, 
while we wonder at the changes of scien- 
tific view in the professional kaleidoscope ? 

Somebody's ox must be gored, seeing 
that there is such a bellow from the herd 
of sects. If the Christian Scientists teach 
humbug, then let men ask, Is the Church 
guiltless, are the denominational creeds 
satisfactory? Is even the Apostles' Creed 
so genuine and enlightening as to be just 
the thing for the soul of the intelligent 
preacher to pin faith to? Will the Atha- 
nasian creed be found attractive? 

Surely the old Westminster Confes- 
sion or the close communion Baptist big- 
otry leaves something to be desired; and 
maybe Wesley's sermons and discipline 
would not go down many spiritual throats 
to-day without a deal of pushing. What 
are the Christian Scientists doing? do you 
answer, Not believing outside the church 

20 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

what the church demands? well, he or she 
is very blind not to see that inside the 
churches there are thousands upon thou- 
sands who do not believe what the church- 
es hold, but then they subscribe, and keep 
on, and that makes a difference. The 
faiths need reconstruction. 

If the believing ill makes the Chris- 
tian Scientist do well, is it not better than 
to claim to be orthodox, yet do nil. What 
have the Christian Scientists done? 

I will tell you (and mark you, I don't 
belong to them nor believe with them) : 
they have gotten a hold upon lackadaisical 
would-be invalid women and removed the 
curse from their husbands and homes, 
awakened their minds to a sense of re- 
sponsibility to their fellows, sent them out 
to minister to human needs, made them 
too busy to think of their own imaginary 
ill, sent them to study their Bible as they 
never did before, awakened in them a de- 
sire for knowledge, and developed un- 
known activity. ( They have brought hap- 

21 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

piness and light into dark and gloomy 
homes, } made despairing, impoverished 
husbands and fathers, whose pockets were 
a Klondike for the physician, happy in 
the consciousness that all their earnings 
would not be swallowed up in doctors' bills 
and the home overshadowed by the angel 
of death; they have built places of wor- 
ship, where the distracted have found 
peace and the idle employment. 

If they cannot pronounce other peo- 
ple's shibboleths, shall we stop their well- 
doing? No, not if we could, for we can- 
not. Christ would say while they do well, 
as the broad-minded Gamaliel said of old, 
Let them alone; "if it be of God ye can- 
not overthrow it, if of men it will come to 
naught." What if it be one of the divine 
spades to dig up the hard-beaten sectarian 
soil that has so long been unproductive? 

It no doubt is an offence against law 
when the life and interests of others are 
jeopardized by exposure to infectious or 
contagious diseases; but since when has 

22 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

the "regular" practice of medicine become 
such a certain science that it shall be the 
only one paid to experiment? 

If an adult desires any special line of 
treatment, or none, shall he not have lib- 
erty to exercise his choice? It is all right 
to have a case reported so that a legally 
appointed medical officer may diagnose 
the disease, and if infectious compel isola- 
tion, but the method of treatment is for 
the patient and friends to determine. No 
treatment for any disease is specific, and 
as it is a fact that fifty per cent, of the 
treatment is mental suggestion, then if 
the other fifty is divided up between the 
pathies who give medicine, it will be seen 
that those who do not, have quite as much 
success as those who do. No class of pro- 
fessional men know better than the clergy 
and physicians how splendidly hum- 
bugged we all are. 

Churchman. 



2S 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 



Regarding Individual Bights 

While Christian Scientists cheerfully 
grant their neighbors the privilege which 
they claim for themselves — their own 
choice of religion and medicine — they 
would not be inclined to lend any special 
support to any practice which is not 
demonstrably efficacious. 

They do not discard material remedies 
merely to be fanatically true to a religious 
belief, but because they have proved by 
actual experience that in so doing they 
are choosing the better way, not only for 
the adult but for the child. In this con- 
nection, however, it should be stated that 
they sometimes sacrifice personal liberties 
in deference to popular opinion and the 
fears and apprehensions of their neigh- 
bors. 

(_ While some might look upon the with- 
holding of medicine from a child as neg- 
lect, a Christian Scientist would regard 

24 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

the administration of medicine as a detri- 
ment to the child, provided it had access to 
the treatment of a proficient Christian 
Scientist; and while the critic points to a 
child that has died under Christian Sci- 
ence treatment, the Scientist has in mind 
many children whose lives have been saved 
through the Science after medical prac- 
tice had proved futile. \ 

A mother, whose own life and the lives 
of two of whose children have been saved 
through Christian Science, while three of 
her little ones have died under medical 
treatment, has overwhelming testimony 
that Christian Science is the more reliable 
remedy, notwithstanding that one child 
has died under its administration. 

It should be understood that when a 
Christian Scientist withholds medicine, he 
is giving something better in its place. 

It should also be borne in mind that the 
Christian Scientist, having had experience 
first with medical practice and last with 
this Science, is better capable of judging 

25 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

as to the wisdom of his choice than those 
who have depended exclusively upon med- 
icine and who have not had experience 
with Christian Science. 

A parent is the natural guardian of his 
child, and a Christian Scientist parent is 
not excepted. To him belongs the priv- 
ilege of choosing a remedy for the ills of 
his child. It would be quite as unjust for 
the State to force Christian Scientist 
parents to administer medicine to their 
children as it would be to force parents 
who believe in the use of medicine to ad- 
minister Christian Science treatment to 
their children. In either case, the action 
should not be governed by popular opin- 
ion nor by prejudice, but should be de- 
cided on the actual merits of the proposed 
remedy. 

Justice would demand that if a parent 
proposes treatment for his child which is 
not in harmony with his neighbor's sense 
of a proper remedy, and if the neighbor 
therefore proposes to interfere in behalf 

26 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

of the child, his first task should be to es- 
tablish, by a thorough investigation, the 
merits or demerits of the remedy in ques- 
tion. 

It seems to us that every system of 
healing should stand upon its own merits 
and not be at the mercy of mere opinion. 
If it can be shown that the peculiar con- 
dition of the patient, his environment, and 
the means at hand for the maintenance or 
restoration of health, are such that he is 
equally as well or better provided for 
without medicine, this should be regarded 
as a lawful excuse for the non-use of med- 
icine. Evidently the law was not made in 
the interest of any specific therapeutical 
system, but solely to guard against neg- 
lect, 

Alfred Farlow. 



27 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

Reply to the Rev. Mr. Field 

Mr. Editor: 

I have before me a recent issue of the 
Journal-Gazette, in the columns of which 
my much-admired friend, Rev. J. N. 
Field, unlimbers his heavy artillery, and 
makes war on Christian Science. To the 
Christian Scientist, Mr. Field's sermon is 
best epitomized by this couplet from an 
old and popular Scotch bard: 

Did ye ever hear tell o' Jame Jamison's bonnet? 
'Twas nae itseP, but the ornaments on it. 

So with Mr. Field's sermon, the best 
part of it is the "ornaments on it;" i.e., 
the good things he said about Christian 
Scientists and Christian Science. 

Several days before the delivery of his 
sermon, while visiting in Fort Wayne, I 
met Mr. Field in the down-town district, 
and at that time he declared his intention 
of delivering a sermon against Christian 

28 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

Science, and honestly presented his atti- 
tude by indicating that his method of pro- 
cedure would be in the nature of a 
friendly salute, followed by a full broad- 
side. At that time he said he intended to 
take some of the most positive statements 
from " Science and Health, with Key to 
the Scriptures/' by Reverend Mary Baker 
Eddy, and show that many of its state- 
ments were in total disalignment with 
the Scriptures. In reply to his remarks, 
I told him that if he would allow me to 
compare his chosen statements from Sci- 
ence and Health with the teachings of the 
Scriptures, that I would be glad to pro- 
claim myself a good Baptist, if I could 
not reconcile every statement with those 
of the sacred pages of the Bible. After 
reading Mr. Field's sermon in the Jour- 
nal-Gazette, I am perfectly willing to 
hold to my offer. Mr. Field has a decid- 
ed misunderstanding of the true spiritual 
import of many of his passages selected 
from Science and Health, and it would 

29 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

be impossible to harmonize his conception 
of their meaning with the correlative pas- 
sages in the Scriptures; yet when compre- 
hended in their full spiritual meaning, 
every one of his quoted passages can be 
logically harmonized with the Ten Com- 
mandments and the Sermon on the 
Mount. Even the sacred Scriptures may 
be made to seem inharmonious, incon- 
gruous, and contradictory, by quoting 
citations detached from their explanatory 
surroundings, after the method followed 
by Mr. Field in analyzing Science and 
Health. 

It is plainly apparent, then, that an in- 
dividual desiring to investigate Christian 
Science cannot take even the statements 
of a beloved pastor as a finality on so 
great a theme, but must investigate for 
himself by honest, earnest, and just study. 

I shall not attempt to answer in detail 
the condemnatory statements of Mr. 
Field against Christian Science, for the 
world needs love more than logic, and 

30 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

health and harmony more than ha- 
rangue;/ and if Christian Science brings 
love, health, and harmony into the lives of 
suffering ones, as millions testify, it will 
by its own works answer all misrepresen- 
tation. However, I feel obliged to enter 
some strenuous counter-charges against 
some of the statements of our friend. 

In the first place, Mr. Field is hope- 
lessly inconsistent in some of his asser- 
tions. He admits that Christian Scien- 
tists are one of the happiest, healthiest, 
and most harmonious bodies of Chris- 
tians ; that they are devout students of the 
Bible; zealous in good works, peaceful 
and inoffensive ; good examples for Chris- 
tians of other denominations, and then 
proceeds to execute the tree that bears 
such choice fruit because its leaves and 
roots do not quite suit his ideas. 

Our Master admonished us, "Every 
good tree bringeth forth good fruit," and 
"By their fruits ye shall know them." At 
another time, when his disciples found 

si 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

some who were not his followers casting 
out devils in his name, and his disciples 
came to him with a complaint about them, 
Jesus commanded the disciples to let them 
alone and to offer no hindrance to their 
good work. The same principle of char- 
ity holds good to this hour. 

Right here I would like to enter a pro- 
test against the term "Eddyism." The 
very first tenet in Christian Science is 
this: "As adherents of Truth, we take the 
inspired Word of the Bible as our suffi- 
cient guide to eternal Life." This sen- 
tence alone makes it self-evident that 
Christian Scientists are not followers of 
person, creed, or "ism," or "ology," and 
that there isn't any such thing as an Ed- 
dyist or Eddyism. 

Again, Mr. Field says, "Christian Sci- 
entists cure by thought-power, or by mak- 
ing the patient believe there is nothing the 
matter with him." This statement would 
indicate that the whole modus operandi of 
Christian Science healing consisted sim- 

32 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

ply in the blind use of human will-power 
and the curative operation of human 
thought, whereas Christian Science shows 
that it is the human, mortal thought that 
makes sick, and the divine, God thought 
that makes well. Paul said, u Present 
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, ac- 
ceptable unto God; . . • and be not 
conformed to this world : but be ye trans- 
formed by the renewing of your mind." 

Christian Scientists understand that 
this transformation means not only men- 
tal, moral, and spiritual, but physical as 
well. It is plainly evident, therefore, that 
true Christian Science healing consists in 
the scientific substitution of God's health- 
giving thoughts, for sick, sinning, erring, 
inharmonious thoughts of the human 
mind, and the consequent bodily trans- 
formation therefrom. Its fruits prove its 
theory. 

As to Mr. Field's reference to the state- 
ment of Pundita Ramabai, that Christian 
Science is identical with the Hindu phi- 

33 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

losophy, which has been taught among her 
people for thousands of years, nothing 
could be further from the truth, nothing 
more unjust or more indicative of almost 
hopeless blindness as to the real, spiritual 
import of Christian Science teaching. 
One honest reading of the chapter on 
"Prayer," and on "Atonement and Eu- 
charist," in Science and Health, the text- 
book on Christian Science, will convince 
even the prejudiced investigator that 
Christian Science is Christianly scientific 
and has no relation to the dreamy, vague, 
illogical premises of Oriental philosophy. 
Again he makes the statement: "One of 
the most prominent physicians of this 
town has been called again and again to 
treat Christian Scientists, and even Chris- 
tian Science healers." I am glad to give 
the public at least my own experience in 
this line, and that is, during ten years' 
study and practice of Christian Science in 
my home, I have found Christian Science, 
rightly applied, equal to every emergency, 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

and during all that time not a material 
remedy even of the simplest kind, or 
physician of any school whatever, has even 
entered my house. And I do not say this 
in an antagonistic sense, as being in oppo- 
sition to physicians, but with a devout 
sense of gratitude to that infinite Intelli- 
gence which has enabled us to win the vic- 
tory over all the ills of the flesh by 
spiritual power. 

It may be that some who termed them- 
selves Christian Scientists felt this faith 
and understanding wanting in the hour of 
need and resorted to material means for 
aid, but the general average would not be 
one in thousands, and it would be as man- 
ifestly unjust to condemn Christian Sci- 
ence for the weakness of its followers 
as to condemn Christ and his teachings 
because Peter denied him and Judas be- 
trayed him. 

Then, too, as a counter-charge, the 
writer can give Mr. Field a list of many 
devout Baptists who were healed by 

35 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

Christian Science after noted physicians 
and all material remedies had failed. 

But probably the most serious, unjust, 
and unchristian misrepresentation in the 
whole discourse is the introduction therein 
of the following quotation from a sermon 
by Dr. A. C. Dixon, of Boston: 

"Mrs. Eddy's press agent asserts that 
she is modesty personified, and this, too, 
after he has seen in one of her books the 
picture of Mrs. Eddy and of Jesus Christ, 
with a halo around the head of each." In 
making this statement Dr. Dixon re- 
ferred to the book "Christ and Christ- 
mas," but the picture to which he directs 
attention is not a portrait of Mrs. Eddy, 
and is not intended to be a portrait of her 
nor to represent her. Dr. Dixon further 
says that "in her autobiography, page 
96, she classes herself with the Virgin 
Mary and with Christ himself, saying 
that no one else can take her place." 

To offset this really wicked aspersion 
and misrepresentation as to the life, char- 

36 






Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

acter, and mission of Rev. Mary Baker 
Eddy, the discoverer and founder of 
Christian Science, I shall quote her own 
words from a few of her standard works. 
In her preface to Science and Health, 
page 9, she says of herself: "To-day, 
though rejoicing in some progress, she 
finds herself still a willing disciple at the 
heavenly gate, waiting for the Mind of 
Christ." 

In February, 1895, the report was cir- 
culated by the New York Herald that 
Mrs. Eddy's followers believed her to be 
the second Christ. In answer to this un- 
called-for and wicked canard, Mrs. Eddy 
prepared a statement for the New York 
Herald, a portion of which I quote be- 
low: 

"A despatch is given me, calling for an 
interview to answer for myself, 'Am I the 
second Christ?' 

"Even the question shocks me. What I 
am is for God to declare in His infinite 
mercy. As it is, I claim nothing more 

37 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

than that I am the discoverer and founder 
of Christian Science, and the blessing it 
has been to mankind which eternity en- 
folds. 



"My books and teachings maintain but 
one conclusion and statement of the Christ 
and the deification of mortals. 

• ••••• 

"There was, is, and never can be but 
one God, one Christ, one Jesus of Naz- 
.areth. 

"If Christian Scientists find in my 
writings, teachings, and example a great- 
er degree of this spirit than in others, they 
can justly declare it. But to think or 
speak of me in any manner as a Christ, is 
sacrilegious. Such a statement would not 
only be false, but the absolute antipode of 
Christian Science, and would savor more 
of heathenism than of my doctrines." 

One can hardly imagine a popular di- 
vine, belonging to the enlightened nine- 

38 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

teenth century, residing in the supposed 
centre of American culture, making such 
statements as those accredited to the Rev. 
Mr. Dixon. While assailing the modesty 
of Christian Science, Mr. Dixon has ex- 
posed his own direful lack. 

But Christian Scientists are calmly and 
lovingly awaiting the hour of the devel- 
opment of Christian civilization, when 
there will be a fulfilment of the Master's 
command, "Judge not," and in the mean- 
time are endeavoring to fulfil this ad- 
monition of their beloved leader, Rev- 
erend Mary Baker Eddy, taken from 
page 444 of her book, "Science and 
Health, with Key to the Scriptures" : 

"Students are advised by the author 
to be charitable and kind, not only toward 
diff ering forms of religion and medicine, 
but to those who hold these opinions. Let 
us be faithful in pointing the way through 
Christ, as we understand it ; but let us also 
be careful always to 'judge righteous 
judgment/ and never to condemn rashly. 

89 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

'Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right 
cheek, turn to him the other also.' If ec- 
clesiastical sects or medical schools turn a 
deaf ear to the teachings of Christian Sci- 
ence, then part from these opponents as 
did Abraham when he parted from Lot, 
and say in thy heart: 'Let there be no 
strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, 
and between my herdmen and thy herd- 
men; for we be brethren.' " 
Fraternally, 
William Bradford Dickson. 
Fort Wayne Morning Journal-Gazette. 



A Protest from the Pew 

Physicians who have been inveighing 
against spiritual healing because of its 
faith element, and who have declared that 
this renders its claim to be scientific 
" wholly ridiculous," have been vigorously 
called to order by the editor of a leading 
news journal, who ventures to remind 

40 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

them that this faith element enters very 
largely into all "orthodox doctoring-" He 
says: 

"That medicine is often given rather 
for its effect upon the mind of the patient 
or those concerned about him than for its 
eff ect upon the body, will probably pass 
without much of any question; and it is 
still true, as it always has been, that a 
robust physique in the physician, or a 
cheerful, hearty confidence , or faith-in- 
spiring manner in the sick-room, are often 
of more importance than drugs and medi- 
cines, in so far as their effects upon the 
body are concerned. Here, then, we have 
a large element of faith-cure, as it were, 
entering into regular medical practice." 

Such a recognition of the undoubtedly 
increasing use of a faith factor by med- 
ical practitioners — the steady encroach- 
ment of the mental prescription upon the 
whilom domain of the material — is both 
pertinent and prophetic. The change in 
this respect among physicians generally 

41 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

during the last twenty-five years has been 
very great, and it is a very natural result 
of the marked lapse of public faith in the 
remedial power of drugs, and the greater 
familiarity of the people with the unde- 
niable healings achieved through Chris- 
tian Science. There is a great multitude 
of those who are now strong and well, and 
actively engaged in business or profes- 
sional life, who were once sufferers from 
maladies which are pronounced incurable 
by physicians. Their testimony is being 
voiced in all lands, and its convincing 
force is constantly leading even the most 
prejudiced doubters to the point where it 
requires decidedly more credulity to deny 
the facts than to accept tjie proposition 
which they substantiate; namely, that the 
Christ-truth is still able to heal the sick, 
even as Christian believers generally de- 
clare that it did in the first century. 

It is often claimed by the exponents of 
material therapeutics that great progress 
has been made of late years in the control 

42 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

of disease, and if this be true, and if it also 
be true that during this time the faith 
factor in medical treatment has been com- 
ing into more general use (with a corre- 
sponding decrease of reliance upon drug 
medications), would it not be a fair and 
logical conclusion that this explains the 
asserted progress in the mastery of bodily 
afflictions, and would not the medical pro- 
fession be authorized thereby to make 
ready concession that the spiritual healing 
of Christian Science is effective? The 
conviction of Christian Scientists is alto- 
gether reasonable, because it is based on a 
practical experience which is entirely sat- 
isfactory to them. 

Christian Scientists recognize a very 
marked and fundamental difference be- 
tween that spiritual apprehension—the 
understanding of revealed Truth which 
distinguishes the Christ-healing from all 
other so-called mental means of cure, and 
conceding to all others entire freedom of 
choice, they adhere to the method of heal- 

43 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

ing which Jesus used and commended, not 
only because they would thus honor him 
and fulfil his command, but because it has 
been demonstrated to their entire satis- 
faction that they and their children are 
most surely preserved thereby from the 
encroachments of disease. In committing 
their dearest interests to the protection of 
Truth, they are therefore impelled, as all 
must see, not only by their religious sense, 
but also by that "common-sense" which is 
accredited with looking first of all to the 
human interest. 

W. 



The Laborer is Worthy of his Hire 

Mr. Editor: 

Will you permit me to say that the mat- 
ter of charging for Christian Science 
treatment is something that lies between 
the practitioner and the patient? If 
neither of them complain, third parties 
can well afford to refrain from anything 

44 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

in the nature of criticism. Those who 
have been healed of disease or sin through 
the action of Christian Science treatment 
do not complain because of having paid 
for these treatments. Furthermore, it is 
a well-known fact that every Christian 
Science practitioner gives many treat- 
ments without receiving any remunera- 
tion whatever. 

The suggestion in one of Professor 
Lloyd's remarks to the effect that preach- 
ing the gospel can only be accomplished 
through personal sermons, would deprive 
us of the Bible, which is certainly the 
greatest preacher of the gospel which has 
ever been given to the world. Mrs. Eddy 
does preach the gospel through her nu- 
merous publications, and much more 
effectively, because more people are 
reached than she or any other person 
could reach by means of personal sermons. 
Christian Science does not rest upon any 
improper interpretation or application of 
the Bible, but on the contrary rests upon 

45 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

a clear, logical, spiritual interpretation of 
the word of God therein contained. It 
makes no difference whom Jesus ad- 
dressed in the Sermon on the Mount. As 
Professor Lloyd very aptly remarks, it 
"gives the underlying principle that ap- 
plies to us all." 

Bicknell Young. 



Women and Christian Science 

Mr. Editor: 

Accepting your kind invitation to give 
for publication a "theory as to the causes 
that make women so active in new relig- 
ions," I will present some reasons why 
women are so active in Christian Science, 
which was referred to in your article as 
"one of the most powerful, and at the 
same time most admirable, of recent re- 
ligious developments." 

In the first place, it is generally admit- 
ted that women, as a rule, are more in- 

46 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

tuitive than men, and more quickly grasp 
the spiritual truths upon which religion is 
based, As you well say in regard to Chris- 
tian Science, "A woman with an ex- 
traordinary insight into human nature is 
the founder and present head of the cult;" 
and this is true of Mrs. Eddy, because of 
her deep spiritual insight into the laws 
that relate to God and man's relation to 
Him. 

Another reason why women are so 
active in Christian Science is because they 
derive much benefit from it. They are 
not only healed of hysteria, but also of 
organic and functional diseases that have 
defied all other remedies, and they have 
gained a knowledge of how to keep well 
that is of inestimable value. These bene- 
fits are not the result of "charlatanry 
and childish credulity" nor of "auto-hyp- 
notism," but they are gained through a 
spiritual understanding of God's law, 
which is true Science, 

Under such circumstances it is not sur- 
47 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

prising that women are active in Chris- 
tian Science, but they have no monopoly 
of its benefits. The large proportion of 
men who attend the Christian Science 
services, and the testimony of lawyers, 
judges, former doctors and ministers, and 
prominent business men, proves that it 
helps the men as well as the women, and 
illustrates a divine law that is applicable 
to every walk of life. In Christian Sci- 
ence the men are learning "that religion 
must really mean something to them 
also, and they are obeying Paul's injunc- 
tion to "work out your own salvation," in 
the understanding that "it is God which 
worketh in you both to will and to do of 
his good pleasure." Thus the proportion 
of men who are active in Christian Sci- 
ence is greater than in most religious 
movements, for it appeals to their reason 
and practical common sense as well as to 
their spiritual sense. 

Frank W. Gale. 



48 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 



The Teaching of Sound Doctrine 

To the ordinary observer it is evident 
that Christian Science must teach sound 
doctrine. Its advocates are recruited 
largely from the ranks of those who have 
had the best medical care at their com- 
mand, and the records of church mem- 
bership in this denomination show that 
two-thirds of its people were in good 
standing in other evangelical churches be- 
fore adopting Christian Science as their 
religious belief. 

The teaching of Christian Science in 
respect to healing the sick is identical with 
that of Jesus. He not only healed others, 
but in turn taught his followers how to 
heal. His promise is, "The works that I 
do shall he do also; and greater works 
than these shall he do." 

In promising his disciples that certain 
signs should follow them that believed (or 

49 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

understood) his teaching, he designated, 
among other things, that "they shall lay 
hands on the sick, and they shall recover. " 
The Christian Scientist cannot be blamed 
for trying to prove the teaching of the 
Bible on this point to be more than mere 
theory. Jesus proved it possible to ap- 
ply a demonstrable understanding of 
God to the daily affairs of men, and he 
urged his followers for all time to do like- 
wise. 

If prayer is not to be classed among 
remedial agencies, the teaching of the 
Bible on this point will have to be reject- 
ed. Interwoven with the teaching of both 
Old and New Testaments, we find the 
doctrine that prayer is the most effectual 
remedy for human want and woe. The 
Scripture abounds with verse and narra- 
tive wherein is set forth the necessity of 
appealing to the Most High when in sick- 
ness or sorrow. 

It should not be assumed that the Sci- 
entist enters practice without preparation. 

50 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

His line of study may differ from that 
pursued by a student in materia me&ica, 
but the standard of efficiency is none the 
less high, and, in addition, the Christian 
Scientist must needs have " clean hands 
and a pure heart" to bring to the suffer- 
ing ones that knowledge of God's love 
and care which is needed to restore the 
sick and raise the fallen. 

Albert E. Miller. 



Christian Science and Cheerfulness 

The theory elaborated in a recent issue 
of the Examiner to explain how Christian 
Science cures disease was quite ingenious, 
but to attribute the cures to "cheerfulness" 
alone is very much like saying that one 
would be healed if he took a certain kind 
of medicine, but not showing him where 
he could get the medicine. When a per- 
son is sick he is not usually very cheerful ; 
and to tell him to be cheerful and he will 

51 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

get well, without giving him any basis for 
his cheerfulness, is useless. 

While Christian Scientists are a cheer- 
ful and happy people, they were not so 
before they knew of Christian Science. 
Most of them were sick and miserable ; but 
('the understanding of God, as revealed in 
Christian Science, healed them and made 
them happy/. Then, very naturally, they 
would be cheerful and keep well, because 
they had gained a knowledge of the truth, 
which our Master said "shall make you 
free." 

Christian Scientists recognize the ef- 
fects of fear upon the body, and under- 
stand the need of preventing it; but this 
is done not by forcing one to laugh and 
be cheerful, but by removing the cause of 
fear through their knowledge of God and 
man's true relation to Him. As Chris- 
tian Science is a demonstrable science, 
Christian Scientists do know how its cures 
are performed. They have no need to re- 
sort to "artificial vibration" for the heal- 

52 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

ing of acute or chronic disease, for the 
understanding of the spiritual law of God 
is sufficient. 

Frank W. Gale. 



Count Tolstoi and Christian Science 

To the Editor or the "World": 

A recent issue of your paper contained 
the cabled report of an interview with 
Count Leo Tolstoi in Paris, in which he 
was quoted as speaking disparagingly of 
Christian Science. Feeling quite sure 
that the remarks attributed to him must 
be the result of some mistake, since the 
great reformer is known to be in sym- 
pathy with all movements tending toward 
a purer Christianity, I wrote to him di- 
rectly at Yasnaia Poliana, Toula, Russia, 
inclosing the newspaper clipping. I have 
just received a communication signed by 
his daughter, in which she assures me that 
the article is founded upon an error; that 

53 ""■ 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

her father never felt anything but respect 
for Christian Science. But for his illness, 
she continued, he would have written me 
personally. 

I think there is every reason why Count 
Tolstoi's real sentiments should not be 
misstated at this time, and therefore 
thank you for this correction. 

W. D. McCrackan. 



Christian Science as a Religion 

To the Editor or "The Evening 
Post": 
Sir — A writer in your issue of March 
8th, reviewing the "Actes du Premier 
Congres International d'Histoire des Re- 
ligions," professes to be surprised to find 
the name of Mary Baker G. Eddy en- 
rolled among the members of that Con- 
gress. In the interests of historical ac- 
curacy, I beg to remind him that one of 
the most largely attended Congresses of 

54 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

the World's Parliament of Religions in 
Chicago was devoted to Christian Science. 

Addressing this Congress, on Septem- 
ber 20, 1894, the Hon. C. C. Bonney, re- 
ferred to by your reviewer as the writer 
of "An Historical Sketch of the Chicago 
Congress of Religions," in the "Actes" 
under consideration, said to the great au- 
dience filling the hall of Washington: 

"No more striking manifestation of the 
interposition of divine Providence in hu- 
man affairs has come in recent years, than 
that shown in the raising up of the body 
of people which you represent, known as 
the Christian Scientists. 

"We had come to the state of the world 
in which science was called infidel, al- 
though true science could never look oth- 
erwise than through nature up to Nature's 
God. 

"The Christian Scientists were there- 
fore called to declare and emphasize the 
real harmony between religion and sci- 
ence; and to restore the waning faith of 

55 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

many in the verities of the sacred Scrip- 
tures. 

"To restore a living faith in the effi- 
cacy of prayer — the fervent and effectual 
prayer of the righteous man which avail- 
eth much; to teach everywhere the su- 
premacy of spiritual forces; to teach and 
emphasize the fact that in the presence of 
these spiritual forces all other forces are 
weak and inefficient — that I understand 
to be your mission." 

Since the Paris Congress was, as your 
reviewer states, "in a sense an indirect re- 
sult of the Chicago Parliament of Relig- 
ions," it was only natural that Mrs. Eddy, 
the discoverer and founder of Christian 
Science and the author of its text-book, 
"Science and Health, with Key to the 
Scriptures," should have been enrolled 
among the names of that Congress also. 

Moreover, it would not be possible now 
to draw up a list of teachers representing 
modern religious thought without includ- 
ing Mrs. Eddy, whose teachings have 

56 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

gathered together a vast body of earnest 
men and women, united in a Christian de- 
nomination represented, on January 1st, 
by 663 churches and societies, here and 
abroad, and showing a gain of eighty-one 
churches during the past year. 

W. D. McCeackan. 



Opposition Growing Less 

Perhaps we have all felt the opposition 
to Christian Science of those representing 
materia medica. But we little know or 
feel or understand how much the Christ 
is penetrating that thought of opposition, 
alleviating its sting. To-day I was on 
a street-car with one of our prominent 
physicians, and he was asking me how 
our church was getting on, when we ex- 
pected to get in it, etc., and he seemed 
quite interested. After a while he stated 
that I ought to read of the meeting which 

57 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

occurred in Minneapolis or St. Paul not 
long ago — a convention of the allopathic 
physicians. There was one noted phy- 
sician who stated that the world would no 
doubt feel a change in the methods of 
medicine very shortly which would be as 
radical as the change from allopathy to 
homoeopathy, and that the line on which 
this change would be would not be in mat- 
ter. Going on from that point, he re- 
ferred to several features of it, and finally 
came to Christian Science. He elaborated 
considerably on what he knew about 
Christian Science, and stated to this as- 
semblage that inasmuch as so many thou- 
sands of people were looking into Chris- 
tian Science, were taking it up and 
adopting it,/it was not to be scoffed at, 
and it would be well for physicians in gen- 
eral to look into it and see what they could 
find in it to help them in their administer- 
ing to the sick. 

This seems to be a great step, a great 
alleviation of that sting and opposition 

58 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

which we have all felt from materia 
medica. 

E. A. M. 



r A Brief Statement 

Mr. Editor: 

Let it be granted that "strength of will 
and determination" produce seeming re- 
sults, affect "imaginary ills," and create 
certain tendencies. The question then 
arises whether such results are beneficial 
or lasting. Christian Science makes a 
sharp distinction between the general hu- 
man consciousness, so aptly denominated 
"mortal mind" by Mrs. Eddy, and the 
Immortal Mind, Spirit, or Soul, synony- 
mous with God, The theory and practice 
of Christian Science have been concisely 
summed up in the following words : 

"This is Christian Science: that mortal 
mind makes sick, and Immortal Mind 
makes well; that mortal mind makes sin- 

59 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

ners, while Immortal Mind makes saints" 
(Miscellaneous Writings, page 219). 

Nor is the term "imagination" a correct 
one to apply to the therapeutic agent em- 
ployed in Christian Science. Spiritual un- 
derstanding is requisite in order to heal 
and reform according to the methods of 
this Science. Even "faith," as the term is 
commonly used, needs to be supplemented 
by this understanding of the Omnipotence 
of Good over evil in all its forms. 

Mere blind belief is not sufficient to 
"know God," but we are assured in the 
Scriptures that "this is life eternal, that 
they might know Thee the only true God, 
and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." 

Christian Scientists are striving for the 
Christ Mind, and this distinction is as ab- 
solute and necessary as the distinction 
between Good and evil. Great possibili- 
ties of peace and happiness await those 
who follow the guidance and control of 
the One Will and the One Mind3 

W. D. McCrackan. 
60 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 



Reply to Mr. Plummer 

To the Editor of the " Sentinel": 

In answer to Rev. M. W. Plummer 's 
attack upon Christian Science last Sun- 
day evening, as quoted in Monday's Rec- 
ord, I wish to say that Christian Science 
attacks no one, but, in all honesty, should 
defend itself when traducers assault its 
fortifications. It has pleased Mr. Plum- 
mer to use cheap sarcasm as argument (as 
quoted) , a source never resorted to by any 
professional man unless he is without log- 
ical facts or substantial reasoning. 

Now as to a few recognized facts: 
Christian Science is not a fad; its mem- 
bers were not converted to its doctrines 
by oratory or excitement, but most of 
them were lifted from beds of pain and 
the deaths of despair through the great 
principles of Christian Science as taught 
by Mrs. Eddy, and that after hearing 
their physicians' verdict: "Past all human 

61 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

aid." I say to Mr. Plummer, Go ask 
some of the many thousands who have re- 
traced their footsteps from the grave if 
Christian Science "is the most arrant and 
arrogant nonsense ever penned." 

It is plainly evident to any Christian 
Scientist that Mr. Plummer is totally 
blind and deaf to the great truths between 
the covers of "Science and Health, with 
Key to the Scriptures." He may have 
eaten the words, but he failed to assimilate 
their nutriment, and so fed upon husks. 
A man would have been called a crank or 
a fool but a few short months ago if he 
had prophesied that people would soon be 
talking hundreds of miles without any 
wires, yet it has come to pass. 

When John sent to Jesus to know if he 
were the Christ, the answer was, "Go tell 
John the blind see, the lame walk, the 
lepers are cleansed." That is the answer 
which Christian Science makes to the 
world with a record of over a million 
cases as I understand. Jesus did not use 

62 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

wordy argument to convince John that he 
was the one sent; he performed deeds be- 
fore the gaze of a carping, jealous world. 
When he said preach the gospel, he also 
said heal the sick, and this was done for 
some three hundred years after his cru- 
cifixion. If he intended it only for his 
disciples or students, it would have disap- 
peared with them instead of continuing 
for three centuries. 

Is it consistent for anyone, especially a 
professor of Christianity, to tell God in 
prayer that He is All-powerful, All-love, 
and All-good, and reach out to the medi- 
cine-tumbler for help in the same minute, 
thus admitting that they do not believe 
God to be as powerful as the doctor's pre- 
scription? 

A strong man receives a telegram con- 
taining bad news; in a second of time he 
is weak and helpless as a baby. His mus- 
cles did not read the words, but we see the 
effect produced by mind upon his body. 
Lip service has become a more fashionable 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

way to worship the Creator than the per- 
formance of deeds in some cases, but is it 
the proper way? By their deeds ye shall 
know them. Words are meaningless 
when brought into the glare of the light 
of noble deeds. I have the highest re- 
spect for anyone w r ho is sincere in his poli- 
tics or his religion. Each man must work 
out his own salvation ; no one can possibly 
do it for him, and(if one sick prefers to 
trust his case to the guidance of his Crea- 
tor rather than to physicians, who has the 
right to say nay? ' One thing is certain, 
Christian Scientists practise what they 
preach, at least genuine ones; they take 
their own medicine, that is, none at all. 
Its members include as good brain, blood, 
and brawn as we have. They come from 
all walks of life. And they come because 
generally they are driven into the ranks 
from hopeless despair of help elsewhere. 

Our physicians as a whole are a noble 
class of men and doing God's work as 
they understand it, but the best of them 

64 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

admit that the practice of medicine is 
guesswork. Is it not possible that Jesus 
meant it to be truth when he said, " These 
signs shall follow them that believe; they 
shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall 
recover"? 

If teaching that God is Good, Love, 
All-powerful, omnipresent, reclaiming 
drunkards, reforming criminals, banish- 
ing pain and distress and despair, com- 
manding "Love thy neighbor as thyself," 
putting purity in the place of vice, and 
deeds rather than words, installing joy 
where misery reigned, is "the most arrant 
and arrogant nonsense ever penned," then 
I say give us more of it, the world is badly 
in need of it. 

Mr. Plummer, with others, is furnish- 
ing the cup which Christian Scientists are 
drinking, and yet it is possible, as he must 
admit, that Christian Science is right and 
he wrong. If such be the case, what po- 
sition is he occupying to-day, denouncing 
a religion that commands its followers to 

65 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

preach the gospel, heal the sick, and love 
their brother as themselves? Christian 
Science will go on down through the ages 
bringing joy and gladness to hearts in 
gloom even if it is not accepted by minis- 
ters and doctors. It is a tidal wave fast 
gathering magnitude and force, and must 
overflow the civilized portions of the 
globe. 

No weapon will ever be fashioned that 
will wound it more than slightly; its 
march will not be impeded; its banner is 
Truth, its ranks are welded by Love, and 
[its commanders go forward under un- 
changing orders, never looking backward. 

George A. Baker. 



From "Harper's Weekly" 

We take pleasure in republishing from 
that old-established and valuable publica- 
tion, Harper's Weekly, the following 
merited tribute to Mrs. Eddy's utterances 

66 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

relative to the lamented death of Presi- 
dent McKinley : 

"All the preachers preached on Presi- 
dent McKinley; all the editors wrote 
about him. There was a great deal to say, 
and most of it seems to have been said. 
Of course thousands of writers and speak- 
ers said about the same things, for they 
dealt with the same facts, and they were 
moved by the same feelings. Among 
others who have spoken was Mrs. Eddy, 
the mother of Christian Science. She 
issued two utterances which were read in 
her churches, one a communication on the 
death of the President, the other a letter 
of sympathy and advice to Mrs. McKin- 
ley. Both of these discourses are seemly 
and kind, but they are materially different 
from the writings of anyone else. Recit- 
ing the praises of the dead President, 
Mrs. Eddy says: 'May his history waken 
a tone of truth that shall reverberate, re- 
new euphony, emphasize humane power, 
and bear its banner into the vast forever/ 

67 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

No one else said anything like that. 
Mother Eddy's style is a personal asset. 
Her sentences usually have the consider- 
able literary merit of being unexpected. 
Her letter to Mrs. McKinley was short, 
sympathetic, religious, and very much to 
the point. Her position in the country as 
the head and chief spokesman of an im- 
portant religious body is very curious and 
highly interesting." 



*A Little Child Shall Lead Them 

BY MARY A. PACKARD 

In the message to the Mother Church, 
June, 1900, our Leader says, "A child can 
measurably understand Christian Science, 
for, through his simple faith and purity, 
he takes in its spiritual sense that puzzles 
the man. The child not only accepts 
Christian Science more readily than the 
adult, but he practises it." 

68 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

Teachers in Christian Science Sunday- 
schools can tell of questions answered in 
a marvelously clear and scientific way. 
Who could give a better answer to the 
question of "What is Truth?" than "Al- 
ways the real thing." 

Well may we stop and consider this 
definition of Christian Science: "Doing 
the things that Jesus did." This answer 
will make the most of us ponder if we are, 
or if we are trying to be, Christian Sci- 
entists. At one time the Golden Rule 
was under discussion, not only the doing 
unto others as we would that they should 
do unto us, but the thinking unto others. 

A mighty sermon was preached in the 
remark, "We should think of others as 
God thinks of us." Should not this be 
published abroad to show how the little 
child thought is leading as well as teach- 
ing us? 

In one of our lessons the superintendent 
of a Christian Science Sunday-school 
asked if anyone could tell her what this 

69 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

passage of Scripture meant: "Having 
done all, to stand." A little hand was 
lifted, and with the voice of Wisdom, a 
child made answer, "If you know how to 
do, do it." Farther on in the lesson the 
expression was brought out, that having 
on the breastplate of righteousness meant 
having God with you every instant. 

These children use their Science not 
only in illness and accidents, but in their 
play and school work, thus proving all 
that Mrs. Eddy says of them. Should 
not great gratitude be felt and expressed 
to her who has revealed this Way so sim- 
ply that His little ones are first to follow? 
Jesus said, "Except ye turn, and become 
as little children, ye shall in no wise enter 
into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt, xviii. 
3, R. V. ) . In the next verse we are told 
to humble ourselves as a little child. 

Our Leader says in "Miscellaneous 
Writings," page 110, "Beloved children: 
The world has need of you — and more as 
children than as men and women : it needs 

70 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

your innocence, unselfishness, faithful af- 
fection, uncontaminated lives. You need 
also to watch and pray that you preserve 
these virtues unstained, and lose them not 
through contact with the world. What 
grander ambition is there than to maintain 
in yourselves what Jesus loved, and to 
know that your example, more than 
words, makes morals for mankind!" 



A Business Man's Point of View 

J. E. TELLERS 

"Why do your congregations contain 
so many business men?" is a question often 
asked Christian Scientists. The answer is 
not difficult. In this busy age, when the 
lines of competition are so closely drawn, 
men of affairs are compelled to seek and 
hold fast to practical things. They are 
not looking for theories ; they want facts. 

71 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

When they find a fact which pays a 
dividend either in money, health, or hap- 
piness, they are slow to give it up. The 
writing-machine, the incandescent lamp, 
the cash register, the telephone, the eleva- 
tor, and the telegraph are all practical 
things in the business world. Their value 
is measured by results, or "by their 
fruits." There is no other reasonable test. 

The business man who is wise could not 
be induced to discard these convenient 
labor-saving and time-saving articles, un- 
less his reason was convinced that their 
place could be filled by something more 
practical. 

In most instances, the business men 
who are found in Christian Science con- 
gregations are those who have known 
suffering while trying to conduct business 
enterprises and at the same time combat- 
ing physical ills with material remedies, 
experiencing the slow but steady ap- 
proach of ill-health, shattered nerves, and 
a faltering faith in God. 

72 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

(In Christian Science they have found a 
religion that has given them health for 
disease, peace and satisfaction for ner- 
vousness, and a deep-toned understanding 
of God's presence and power.) 

They have been convinced by actual ex- 
perience and severe tests that Christian 
Science gives fact for theory, and they re- 
fuse to believe, very naturally, that a half - 
sick man is as competent in the manage- 
ment of business as one who is healthy 
and happy. They are so thoroughly sat- 
isfied with the results obtained from 
Christian Science that they have discarded 
old theories which have proven impractical 
for the up-to-date facts of this great re- 
ligion. 

Having tested the efficacy of this won- 
derful truth, which in every-day life 
means so much to them, it is not strange 
that they should find among others who 
have had similar experiences a congenial 
and helpful atmosphere. They are drawn 
to the Christian Science service, therefore, 

73 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

as naturally as thirsty travelers to a foun- 
tain in a desert. 

Large corporations recognize the fact 
that the man who is watchful and constant 
in whatever capacity employed, is prefer- 
able to one who is ill, indifferent, and 
vacillating. Managers of many large 
firms say that great loss is sustained each 
year by the sickness of employes. 

A young man who is expected to be at 
his post of duty promptly on a given 
morning, telephones the manager of his 
department that he is ill and is advised by 
his physician to remain at home that day. 

His place remains vacant, or, if filled, 
the substitute, not being acquainted with 
the position, fails to present articles in 
such manner as to effect satisfactory sales. 

The firm not only loses the profit on 
that particular salesman for the day, but 
in most cases it pays him for the time lost» 
For several days following, this salesman 
does his work poorly, and on account of 
this fact another loss creeps into the firm's 

74 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

business. Loss is also occasioned by many 
employes becoming disqualified for sev- 
eral days at a time in consequence of dis- 
sipation and imprudent practices. 

There are also many instances in which 
families of business men have not only 
been cured of various diseases, but habits 
of extravagance in every-day life have 
given place to frugality and economy. 

Better working capacity, better morals, 
better service, better employes, better em- 
ployers, these represent some of the "hun- 
dred-fold more in this time" which Chris- 
tian Science has brought to its faithful 
followers. What wonder, then, that the 
practical business man is found in the 
church which teaches a religion that glo- 
rifies God, that brings peace of heart and 
triumph over sickness and sin, and which 
thus tends to drive hunger and dissatis- 
faction from the home of labor, and fear 
from the home of wealth? 



75 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 
The Passing of a Dream 

LETITIA H. GREENE 

We are told in Science and Health, 
page 418, that "tumors, ulcers, tubercles, 
inflammation, pain, deformed joints, are 
all dream-shadows, dark images of mor- 
tal thought, which flee before the light," 
and this has suggested an illustration 
which has been particularly helpful to me. 
Every discordant condition of the body is 
really like a lantern-slide picture. When 
the room is dark the picture is clearly de- 
fined upon the sheet, but suddenly the cur- 
tains are drawn aside, the room is flooded 
with sunlight, and there is now no picture 
upon the sheet whatever, though the oper- 
ator, the apparatus, and the sheet are ex- 
actly as they were, and nothing has been 
changed; but in place of darkness there 
is light, and the sheet is absolutely free 
from the picture which it once presented. 
So does the sunlight of Christian Science 

76 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

destroy the mental pictures evolved in the 
darkness of mortal thought, and the tablet 
of our mind is revealed, pure and un- 
defiled. 



From the "Midland Druggist" 

A paper called the Midland Druggist 
prints the following : 

' 'A wit once remarked, 5 says Medical 
Talk, 'that the science of medicine con- 
sisted in pouring compounds of which we 
know little into bodies of which we know 
still less.' It is interesting in this connec- 
tion to note that although the Christian 
Scientists dispense with medicine and 
drugs altogether, the mortality amongst 
them is no greater than amongst the drug- 
taking population. This causes one to 
wonder just what has been gained by our 
modern science of therapeutics. That the 
science is of some use, we cannot deny. 
Any formulated and organized system of 

77 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

facts is valuable and can be put to some 
practical use. 

"The answer to the paradox probably is 
that the cures effected by drugs amongst 
the run of people are counterbalanced by 
diseases brought about by the excesses in 
which these people indulge. It is a rec- 
ognized fact that the Jews are less sub- 
ject to disease than are other persons, and 
the fact has been explained by the frugal- 
ity of their habits. The same reason 
might be urged in the case of the Christian 
Scientists. This sect is eminently tem- 
perate, their morals are on the whole good, 
they take a hopeful attitude toward life 
and thus escape the nervous troubles that 
are caused by worry, and their systems are 
not debilitated by the use of drugs, which 
they ignorantly or wilfully misuse." 

This is quite interesting in its admission 
that "although the Christian Scientists 
dispense with medicine and drugs alto- 
gether, the mortality amongst them is no 
greater than amongst the drug-taking 

78 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

population," but this admission does not 
go far enough to do justice to the facts. 

Figures recently given out in the an- 
nual report of the Clerk of the First 
Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston^ 
Mass., indicate a much lower death-rate 
among Christian Scientists than that of 
the "drug-taking population," yet this is 
not the point to which we shall refer par- 
ticularly. 

If the majority of Christian Scientists 
had entered upon their experience as 
Christian Scientists in a normal or even 
average condition of health, they would 
have much reason for thankfulness in hav- 
ing so maintained their standard as to win 
this tribute from our medical contem- 
porary; but the fact is that a very large 
proportion — almost the entire number — 
did not start under these favorable cir- 
cumstances; furthermore, a great many 
had reached a condition of hopeless in- 
validism, and no inconsiderable number 
had been given up to die. 

79 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

To say that their good health is the 
product of their good morals and tem- 
perance is no more correct than it would 
be to say that their good morals and tem- 
perance is the result of their good health. 
Neither their good health upon the one 
hand nor their temperance and good 
morals upon the other hand are causes. 
Both are effects, and both are effects of 
the same cause. The operation of the 
healing power of Christian Science is the 
destruction of both sin and sickness, and 
in this its name — Christian Science — is 
justified, and it is proved to be the heal- 
ing and saving pathology and theology of 
Jesus Christ. 

That " Jesus healed the sick and de- 
stroyed sin by one and the same meta- 
physical process" (Science and Health, 
p. 210) is an established fact, and this 
is so well known to Christian Scientists 
that they expect moral regeneration to ac- 
company the cure of physical disease, for 
they heal their patients and keep them- 

80 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

selves well through the right understand- 
ing of God, and of man's relation to 
Him- 



From the "Christian Science Sentinel" 

The Christian Science Sentinel says in 
an article that — 

Henry Ward Beecher used to give the 
following incident of how his teacher in 
mathematics taught him to depend on 
himself. 

All unconscious of the life within, 
Beecher was a timid fellow at the age of 
twelve, doubtless the result, in part, of a 
strict New England training, added to the 
severity of school discipline, which was 
then supposed to be a necessity in devel- 
oping the future man. Some hard prob- 
lems were required on this occasion, and 
Henry was sent to the blackboard, where, 
trembling and uncertain, he failed. 

"That lesson must be learned," said his 

81 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

teacher, quietly, but with great intensity. 
"I don't want any reason for failure; I 
simply want the lesson." All excuses and 
explanations were disallowed. 

"I did study it two hours," said the boy. 

"You may study it two, or ten hours, 
just suit yourself; I want the lesson," was 
the reply. Henry gave himself to the 
work, and his determined efforts were en- 
tirely successful, and he returned to school 
with a clear sense of intellectual reliance 
and courage to defend his recitation. 

In the midst of a careful demonstra- 
tion, the cold, calm voice of the teacher 
said, "No!" Beecher, surprised, went 
over the entire problem from the begin- 
ning, and on reaching the same point, 
again the stern "No!" uttered in a tone of 
conviction, effectually barred his prog- 
ress, and he sat down, his face flushed 
with confusion. "The next," said the 
teacher. The next boy, too, was inter- 
rupted by a thundering "No!" but went 
straight forward and finished the sum, 

82 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

and was rewarded with, "Well done." 
"Why," faltered Henry, "I worked it 
just as he did, and you said 'No. 5 3 

The rebuke was immediate: "Why did 
not you say yes, and stick to it? It is not 
enough to know your lesson; you should 
know that you know it. You have learned 
nothing until you are sure of it. If all the 
world says no, your business is to say yes, 
and prove it." 

Mr. Beecher declared that he learned a 
life-long lesson therefrom, which in after 
years served him well. 

The most difficult problems of life are 
to be wrought out, not by flourish of 
trumpets and noise, and a mouth full of 
argument, but by work accomplished in 
the realm of silence — in the realm of 
thought. We are to know the Truth that 
brings absolute freedom, and know that 
we know it, and if mortal mind whispers 
its falsities, to hinder our efforts or to de- 
feat and confuse us, if the cry of error is 
no, we are to say yes, and hold to the 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

affirmative with God, in the face of the 
whole world. 



The Attitude of Christian Scientists 
toward Physicians 

A great multitude of earnest and in- 
telligent people here and abroad already 
know that 'Christian Science has meant 
"life and health" to them in times of crisis 
when other means have failed, f Christian 
Scientists respect the altruistic motives of 
the medical fraternity, and wish well to all 
those engaged in every effort to cope with 
pain, disease, and sorrow. They do not 
force or obtrude their services upon those 
who desire medical attendance, j This 
striving on the part of Christian Scientists 
to maintain a kindly and correct attitude 
should not fail of recognition. \ 

The assumption underlying the various 
futile attempts made in the past to regu- 
late or prohibit the practice of Christian 

84 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

Science by legal enactment, is that a 
knowledge of material medicine is essen- 
tial to heal the sick. It follows very prop- 
erly from this assumption that all who at- 
tempt to heal the sick should be able to 
pass an examination in the use of material 
means. But Christian Scientists, follow- 
ing the teachings of the founder of Chris- 
tianity, have proved that the assumption 
in question is false, and that(a knowledge 
of material medicine is not necessary to 
heal the sick^ 

Hence they justly claim that an educa- 
tion in the use of material means is super- 
fluous for anyone who chooses to learn 
how to heal spiritually. They concede 
that an examination in the science of ma- 
terial medicine may justly be required of 
those who wish to practise materially, and 
that this examination should act in such a 
way as to protect the public against per- 
sons pretending to practise material med- 
icine without a knowledge of that science. 

Christian Scientists make no claim to 

85 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

practising material medicine. )They state 
frankly that they have not studied it, and 
are not qualified to administer it. Hence 
they refer all those who may desire med- 
ical practice to physicians, who have spent 
years in the acquisition of the necessary 
knowledge. 

Christian Science is not merely "a the- 
ological doctrine." As defined by Mrs. 
Eddy, it is "the law of God, the law of 
Good, interpreting and demonstrating the 
Principle and rule of universal harmony" 
(Rudimental Divine Science, p. 7). On 
page 9 of the same work she states: 

"Healing ph) r sical sickness is the small- 
est part of Christian Science. It is only 
the bugle -call to thought and action, in 
the higher range of infinite goodness. 
The emphatic purpose of Christian Sci- 
ence is the healing of sin; and this task is 
a million times harder than the cure of 
disease ; because, while mortals love to sin, 
they do not love to be sick." 

The object of medical practice is to heal 
86 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

the sick, and if there is a better way of 
doing this than by medication and manip- 
ulation, the physicians should be the first 
to learn this way. Christian Scientists, 
with best wishes for all in their hearts, are 
content to wait until the spiritual healing 
taught and practised by Jesus, his dis- 
ciples and apostles, and by the early Chris- 
tians, shall once more commend itself to 
all Christians as the best, the safest, and 
the only enduring method. 

W. D. McCeackan. 



Christian Science Healing 

Christian Science healing is the direct 
outcome of Christian Science praying. In 
the text-book of this Science Mrs. Eddy 
says, "A mere request that God will heal 
the sick has no power to gain more of the 
divine presence than is always at hand. 

"The beneficial effect of such prayer 
for the sick is on the human mind, mak- 

87 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

ing it act more powerfully on the body 
through a blind faith in God. This, how- 
ever, is one belief casting out another — a 
belief in the unknown casting out a belief 
in sickness" (Science and Health, p. 12). 

She further says at the opening of the 
first chapter of that great work, the chap- 
ter that so courageously and keenly 
analyzes prayer as it is generally prac- 
tised and so humbly and lovingly teaches 
prayer as it should be: "The prayer that 
reclaims the sinner and heals the sick, is an 
absolute faith that all things are possible 
to God — a spiritual understanding of 
Him — an unselfed love." 

The Christian Scientist exercises no 
faith in mortal mind, the alleged product, 
or else dependent, of a human brain, much 
less can he recognize any divinity of such 
so-called mind; but by his understanding 
of the One Mind, God, he demonstrates in 
some degree the dominion of man, as the 
spiritual son of God, conferred by his 
Maker in Genesis, and sung by the royal 

88 



Some Truths and Wisdom* of Christian Science 

psalmist of Israel in the eighth psalm, 
"Thou madest him to have dominion over 
the works of thy hands ; thou hast put all 
things under his feet." 

As in praying, so in healing ; the Chris- 
tian Scientist takes Jesus as his teacher, 
his exemplar, his way-shower. His com- 
mand to his disciples, "Heal the sick," his 
promise, "He that believeth on me, the 
works that I do shall he do also," these 
are the inspiration of the Christian Sci- 
entist in preaching "The kingdom of 
heaven is at hand" to a self -loving and 
materialistic community. 

And in the glowing words of this same 
Jesus, "If a man keep my saying, he shall 
never see death," he finds his divine au- 
thority for going to what our clerical 
critic hastily calls "the insane length of 
claiming that there is no need of dying." 

So far is Christian Science from mag- 
nifying brain power or recognizing divin- 
ity in the human mind that Mrs. Eddy 
says: "I find the will, or sensuous reason 

89 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

of the human mind, to be opposed to the 
divine Mind, as expressed through divine 
Science" (Science and Health, p. 111). 
"The medicine of Science is divine Mind 5 ' 
(p. 104). 

If God "has put curative properties in 
the earth, the minerals, and the plants," it 
must be because He foresaw disease and 
death to which they must be the antidotes. 
Thus we find God again represented as 
the author of evil, sin, sickness, and death. 

Over against this teaching put the 
words of St. James: "Doth a fountain 
send forth at the same place sweet water 
and bitter?" and the words of Jesus: "If 
a kingdom be divided against itself, that 
kingdom cannot stand." We claim that 
God is supremely good. How, then, could 
He create the disease and sin which are in- 
finitely foreign to Him? and how could 
He maintain His rule over His creations 
if He were Himself the instigator of re- 
bellion? 
(Neither Jesus nor his disciples used 
90 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

drugs in healing. \ Mrs. Eddy destroys all 
belief in drugs as an agency in Christian 
healing in a very few words: "It is plain 
that God does not employ drugs or hy- 
giene, nor provide them for human use; 
else Jesus also would have recommended 
and employed them in his healing. The 
sick are more deplorably lost than the 
sinful, if the sick cannot rely on God for 
help, and the sinful can" (Science and 
Health, p. 143). 

Theodore D. Warren. 



Separating the True from the False 

BY EDWARD H. CARMAN 

Christian Science has come to the world 
as a mirror wherein man may behold his 
true image and reflection and learn his 
true relation to God. Here is the one and 
only scientific explanation of Jesus and 
his teachings. Here he is revealed as the 

91 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

only perfect man who was "the only be- 
gotten of the Father." 

The first lesson learned in Christian 
Science is that God is omnipotence (all 
power), omnipresence (everywhere), om- 
niscience (all Science and Truth) ; that 
He is infinite and eternal Mind, divine 
Principle, Love, the one and only Power 
and Presence, the one Will. It also teach- 
es that there is a counterfeit of this one 
infinite Mind or Will, calling itself carnal 
mind, mortal mind, or human will. 

Jesus, the first great teacher and dem- 
onstrator of scientific Christianity, knew 
that thoughts came to his consciousness 
from the Father Mind or God, to guide 
him in his good works and deeds of love; 
or they came as mental suggestions from 
the carnal mind, or human will to tempt 
him to believe in evil or commit evil deeds. 
Having the desire to do good and be 
good only, he was enabled to separate 
quickly for himself the true from the 
false, as well as to discern whether truth 

92 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

or error was influencing the thoughts and 
words of those with whom he came in con- 
tact. 

He was always able to see Truth or 
error as absolutely impersonal, and no- 
where in the Gospels is his quick percep- 
tion better illustrated than in the sixteenth 
chapter of Matthew. Peter, as the avenue 
or spokesman, in one instance is made to 
declare the Truth; in another he voices 
error. In the first instance, when Jesus 
came to his disciples with the question: 
"Whom do men say that I, the Son of 
man, am?" Peter became the mouthpiece 
of infinite Mind, God, when he said, 
"Thou art the Christ [the Messiah], the 
Son of the Living God;" Jesus' reply 
proves beyond peradventure that the hu- 
man mind is not capable of reaching, 
alone, such altitudes of thought, for, said 
he, "Flesh and blood hath not revealed it 
unto thee, but my Father [infinite Mind] 
which is in heaven." After Jesus had told 
the disciples that he must suffer many 

93 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

things of the chief priests, the scribes, and 
elders at Jerusalem, Peter, again the 
spokesman, boldly rebuked him, appear- 
ing in a very different role from that 
which had elicited from Jesus commenda- 
tion and approval. What was it but 
the human will, that embodies self-love, 
selfishness and self-will, conceit and 
egotism, that could prompt Peter to re- 
buke the Master, saying, "This shall not 
be unto thee." Jesus' reply to this sug- 
gestion of evil was the same with which 
he met the temptation on the Mount, "Get 
thee behind me, Satan: . . . thou 
savorest not the things that be of God, 
but those that be of men." Jesus here 
stamps the human will or carnal mind as 
the one evil — Devil or Satan — impersonal 
evil. 

This scientific understanding through 
which Jesus said in one instance, "Thou 
art Peter, and upon this rock I will build 
my church," and in another said, seem- 
ingly to the same person, "Get thee be- 

94 



Some Truths arid Wisdom of Christian Science 

hind me, Satan," sets forever at rest the 
idea that any personality could be en- 
trusted with the keys of heaven, and estab- 
lishes the fact that the Truth, the Christ 
idea, was to be forever the foundation 
upon which the true Church should be re- 
vealed. 

Jesus taught his disciples how Truth 
separates the real from the unreal. He 
said: "If any man will come after me, let 
him deny himself, and take up his cross, 
and follow me." His followers in Chris- 
tian Science are to-day proving the truth 
of his teachings. The rules for demon- 
stration are laid down in " Science and 
Health, with Key to the Scriptures," and 
are so plain that a wayfaring man, though 
a fool, need not err therein. 

"Science and Religion" 

A reprint from the I^ondon Times in 
one of your late issues, entitled "Science 
and Religion," contains some exceedingly 

95 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

surprising statements with reference to 
these two terms. We are told by the 
writer, E. Ray Lankester, that, in his 
opinion, "there is no relation, in the sense 
of a connection or influence, between sci- 
ence and religion." He also gives it as 
his opinion "that religion has not, in its 
essential qualities, anything to hope for or 
to fear from science." 

Reading further in his communication, 
one recognizes that his concept of science 
is of something purely materialistic and 
physical. He speaks of the order of 
nature as "a network of mechanism," but 
implies that science can have no connec- 
tion with the beyond-physics or meta- 
physics. 

Christian Science, by its very name, 
protests against such an assumption. Sci- 
ence is classified knowledge, and deals, 
primarily, with causation. Since God is 
the First Cause, Creator, and Principle of 
the universe, including man, it is evident 
that science must ultimately deal with 

96 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

God, hence with the ultra-physical; i.e.j 
with Spirit or Mind. In its last analysis, 
therefore, science must concern itself with 
spiritual and mental phenomena, and 
must recognize the "network of mechan- 
ism," of which Mr. Lankester writes, as 
effect, not cause, hence of secondary, and 
not of primary, importance. 

In truth, every sincere and fearless stu- 
dent of the natural sciences sooner or later 
reaches the point beyond which his phys- 
ical senses will not carry him, and at 
which all his laboriously acquired knowl- 
edge concerning material phenomena 
leaves him powerless to proceed. His 
journey must lead into the realm of meta- 
physics, into the beyond-physics, and he 
needs some sure indication of the true 
goal. 

Instead of the terms science and relig- 
ion excluding each other, or being mutual- 
ly incompatible, it is beginning to be 
acknowledged that all true science is re- 
ligious, and all religion worth having 

97 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

must also be scientific. Thus we see a 
growing demand being made upon Chris- 
tians to prove the scientific nature of their 
religion by "signs following," by actual 
demonstrations in healing the sick by spir- 
itual means, as well as reforming the sin- 
ner and comforting the sorrowing. Chris- 
tian Science meets this demand honestly 
and fearlessly, and Christian Scientists 
are striving, up to their highest under- 
standing, to prove that Christianity is 
scientific and that science is Christian. 
Every real step in science and ift religion 
alike is bringing these two closer together, 
until their union in the realm of meta- 
physics shall be clearly discerned by all. 
W. D. McCrackan. 



Christian Science Definitions 

Christian Science is so imperfectly un- 
derstood by many of those who oppose it 
as to make their criticisms valueless to 

98 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

those people who have learned even a little 
of the teachings of this new-old doctrine.) 
Perhaps a few statements in explanation 
of some points of its teachings may be of 
interest in the present discussion of the 
merits and demerits of the new faith. 

Most of the adverse criticisms of Chris- 
tian Science are based upon erroneous con- 
ceptions of the new idea. An understand- 
ing of these would have stopped the pub- 
lication of many newspaper articles that 
have (in the minds of the writers) so 
crushingly disposed of the new "fad." 
May I be permitted to express some 
thoughts for the benefit of honest in- 
quirers after Truth, in definition of a few 
expressions that perhaps need explanation 
before they can properly be aligned with 
the old-time terminology of theologic 
thought? 

Faith in Christian Science is not syn- 
onymous with belief. It is not a mere 
acceptance of an idea and a trust in Deity, 
On the contrary, it is an actual knowledge 

99 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

of the truth of the idea acquired by as 
logical a course of reasoning and demon- 
stration as is demanded in solving a 
mathematical problem- The new "faith" 
is absolute knowledge. Knowing this 
change of definition, one can easily see 
that the statements and ridicule, in refer- 
ence to "faith-cure" as applied to Chris- 
tian Science, fall to the ground as mis- 
conceptions. 

Prayer, in Christian Science, goes be- 
yond the asking for gifts or favors and 
demonstrates that the asking must be ac- 
companied by the reaching for and tak- 
ing. It is not only Montgomery's idea, 

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, 

Uttered or unexpressed — 
The motion of a hidden fire 

That trembles in the breast, 

but also a reaching for and a grasping of 
the desired answer as the logical second 
part or conclusion of the petition. How 
to do this is taught in the elementary les- 

100 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

sons of Christian Science. Nothing is so 
hard to grapple with or understand as a 
new idea. Some people fail to compre- 
hend and so sneer at the statement of the 
Christian Scientists that "thoughts are 
things." And yet that this is simple 
truth can easily be shown. 

Let us analyze briefly a few of the 
giant "things" of twentieth-century civ- 
ilization. What is a man's "business"? 
Certainly not his shops, his machinery, his 
workmen, his offices, office furniture, mas- 
sive vaults, or his books of credit and debit 
and other documents. These are but the 
paraphernalia of his business. The busi- 
ness itself is in the mind of the proprie- 
tor, and without his thought and without 
that thought-centre, around w T hich all the 
above-mentioned and other accessories 
cluster and crystallize, there can exist no 
business. Practical men will, in analyz- 
ing the terms "corporations" and "trusts," 
acknowledge that these important and 
mighty factors in the life of our century 

101 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

have only a mental existence. Their ar- 
ticles of agreement and charters of incor- 
poration are only the tangible evidences 
and expressions of the thoughts constitut- 
ing the forces which move the commercial 
world. The intangible and invisible men- 
tal movements of gifted individuals form 
and compose these mighty aggregations 
of power. One more analysis and I close. 
What is a "home"? Not a palatial res- 
idence with gorgeously furnished apart- 
ments and a magnificent retinue of ser- 
vants, nor a humble cottage with rustic 
endowments. Neither of these makes or 
constitutes a home until the home thought 
crowns these accessories with content and 
love. Are not Scientists right in saying 
"thoughts are things"? 

W. A. Ferguson. 

Moderation vs. Fanaticism 

The Leader of the Christian Science 
movement has declared in "Science and 

102 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

Health, with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 
462), "Though gathering new energy, an 
idea should injure none of its useful sur- 
roundings, in the travail of spiritual 
birth." This statement is worthy of the 
profoundest consideration of Christian 
Scientists as well as the general public. 

The adherents of this new religio-sci- 
ence have never been impressed that its 
introduction or propagation demanded 
any degree of fanaticism. It has always 
seemed wise that this new idea should not 
be hastily obtruded upon mankind, but 
that it should gradually leaven the lump 
of human consciousness, and that Chris- 
tian Science work should be conducted in 
such a manner as not to produce up- 
heavals in human affairs. It has never 
entered into the plans of Scientists to 
isolate themselves from the society of 
others nor to undertake the establishment 
of a government within a government, 
neither to advocate aggressive action 
against their opponents; but, on the con- 

103 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

trary, they have deemed it proper to be 
law-abiding in every sense and to change 
human affairs by education rather than by 
coercion or arbitrary demands. 

While Christian Scientists may differ 
to some extent from their neighbors in 
what constitutes preaching the gospel, 
they do not even entertain a wish to in- 
terfere with what is generally in vogue in 
this respect. Though they differ from 
some of their neighbors in their under- 
standing of what constitutes the proper 
treatment of the sick, they have no incli- 
nation to interfere with the practices 
which are in common use in this regard. 
They are permitted to practise Christian 
Science to a sufficient degree to convince 
a large portion of the public and win for 
themselves the privilege of continuing in 
the propagation of their ideas and adding 
daily to the confidence reposed in them by 
the general public. 

Christian Science not only involves an 
understanding of spiritual power, de- 

104 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

pendence, and provision, but a wise con- 
sideration of the "powers that be" — of the 
customs, usages, and opinions which are 
already in existence in the material world. 
Christian Science is that which appears 
and appeals to us where we now stand, 
and in its disposition of the imperfect and 
material customs which obtain, it takes 
into consideration what is best for the gen- 
eral good, adhering strictly to the Golden 
Rule and to the commandment, "Love thy 
neighbor as thyself." This Science, there- 
fore, will not admit of open rebellion, but 
if, perchance, its adherents believe them- 
selves in possession of means and methods 
which are superior to those of their neigh- 
bors, they depend upon convincing the 
latter of this fact by education and demon- 
stration, thereby winning them by just 
inducements instead of using force. 
Alfred Farlow, 
Boston Times. 



105 



PART II 



Extracts 

As to individual rights, while Christian 
Scientists cheerfully grant their neighbors 
the privilege which they claim for them- 
selves — their own choice of religion and 
medicine — they would not be inclined to 
lend any special support to any practice 
which is not demonstrably efficacious. 
They do not discard material medicines 
merely to be fanatically true to a relig- 
ious belief, but because they have proven 
by actual experience that in so doing they 
are choosing the better way, not only for 
the adult, but for the child. In this con- 
nection, however, it should be stated that 
they sometimes sacrifice personal liberties 
in deference to popular opinion and the 
fears and apprehensions of their neigh- 
bors. 

109 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

Christian Science brings to our under- 
standing the fact that the works of Jesus 
in healing the sick and overcoming false 
human laws are as practical now as they 
ever were. He distinctly said, "The 
works that I do shall he do also; and 
greater works." But these teachings were 
originally misunderstood and resisted by 
both Jews and Gentiles, and have re- 
mained a mystery ever since. Christian 
Science is bringing them to light and un- 
covering the Principle whereby Jesus did 
his works. He proved that the mortality, 
which is subject to sickness, sin, and death, 
is illusive and false, and that the real man 
is of Divine creation and indestructible. 



If for a moment our thoughts waver 
we must search our own consciousness, 
where we shall find that, quite unsuspect- 
ed by us in our warfare between the holy 
and the human thought, we are clinging 
to some material belief with a grim clutch 

no 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

of unconscious habit. In that moment of 
awakening we learn that man has no re- 
sponsibility, and that the government is 
upon the shoulders of God ; learn that we 
have not been content or grateful enough, 
or sufficiently conscious of what God has 
already done and revealed to man. 



Spiritual lessons are acceptable to those 
only who, having had a sufficient experi- 
ence with materiality, are ready to let go 
their grasp on matter and cling to Spirit. 



The question will be asked what proof 
I have to offer that Christian Scientists 
will not persecute the Jews and eventually 
be as intolerant of them as all other re- 
ligious organizations have been. The an- 
swer is, this Science proves that all vicious- 
ness, intolerance, prejudice, bigotry, envy, 
hate, sensualism, licentiousness, lasciv- 
iousness, and every other evil constitute 

ill 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

the mortal or counterfeit man and must 
be put off — abandoned and destroyed. 
Christian Scientists know that ( evil 
thoughts blacken the soul and exclude the 
glorious rays of the Divine Light. ) If 
our windows are blackened and smeared 
with dirt and paint and pitch they will 
prevent the sunshine from entering our 
rooms; in like manner is the light and 
power excluded from us if our thought is 
stained with hate, prejudice, envy, etc. 

The first lesson we must learn as Chris- 
tian Scientists is to expel all evil from 
our consciousness and let the opposite, 
such as love and charity, take their place.') 
If we exclude evil from our consciousness, 
good will take its place. This is the 
"Emanuel," or God with us. And so, with 
Good or God with us, we have dominion 
over the earth, as was originally intended. 
Let my Jewish brothers say if there is 
anything in this which they could not 
accept. 

If, therefore, Christian Scientists elim- 
112 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

inate from their thought all manner of 
evil and substitute love and charity, what 
possibility is there of persecution? 



The signs of the times are significant. 
A feeling of unrest, of disquietude, is a 
harbinger of a great spiritual awakening, 
which, ere it ends, will redeem the world. 
"The wages of sin is death." Sin is death, 
for Life is God. Only as we lift thought 
above sin, above the sense of limitations 
which comprise this state of mortal con- 
sciousness called material life, do we really 
live. The spiritual fact is the only fact. 
God is our Life, and God is all. He is 
Love, divine Mind, the only intelligence, 
power, and might of the universe. The 
powers that be are ordained of Good, and 
there are no other powers. 



Christian Science is a religion of doing. 
Therefore, let us see what it does. 

I suppose there is hardly a reader of 

113 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

this article who does not know of a case 
in which Christian Science has been tried 
in the hour of need and proven a help. \ 
Some readers, doubtless, know of several 
such cases. Every Christian Scientist 
knows of a good number, and there are 
many Christian Scientists, so that the vol- 
ume of evidence is a very great one in- 
deed. These cases of cure and comfort 
cover a multitude of diseases and disabili- 
ties, chronic or acute, organic or inorganic, 
called curable or called incurable by other 
methods. Every manner of discord and 
misery, of sin, sickness, and sorrow, has 
yielded to Christian Science. Being far 
from infallible, Christian Scientists have 
some failures to record; but the successes 
already attained during the thirty odd 
years that Christian Science practice has 
been before the world, warrant the hope 
that results will grow more uniformly 
good as Christian Scientists progress in 
spiritual understanding. 

The appeal of Christian Science to man 

114 






Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

is to know God as infinite and omnipotent 
Good, and to learn to overcome evil with 
Good. 

The first question in the study of Chris- 
tian Science and the last is, "What is 
God?" Then the first requirement and 
the last one is, "Thou shalt have no other 
God before me." 

This will suffice to indicate what kind 
of a plow the Christian Scientist grasps 
when he cultivates his field. Every for- 
ward step in the furrow is a satisfaction. 

There are also many moments of rest, 
when the Christian Scientist, raising his 
eyes, gains a fuller assurance than ever 
that the sky overhead is blue and that the 
birds are on the wing. 

With increasing frequency comes the 
sense of peace: "Not as the world giveth, 
but as the Comforter vouchsafes." 

This is the peace wherein Good is un- 
derstood to be eternal and indestructible, 
while all that is unlike Good is revealed as 
vanishing and fleeting. 

115 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

Christian Scientists in their profession 
go no farther than other Christians. 
Their works, however, are the logical out- 
come of this profession, and should be so 
recognized. God's word rightly under- 
stood ever has healed and ever will heal 
the sick, and neither Christian Scientists 
nor any one else can alter this fact any 
more than the sun can be restrained from 
casting its rays upon the earth. To con- 
tend that Christians are not justified in 
relying entirely upon prayer for the re- 
covery of the sick, is to charge the 
Founder of the Christian religion and his 
disciples with being at fault. He advo- 
cated no other means, and bade his fol- 
lowers look to God through the medium 
of prayer for relief from all ills. 

Christian Scientists make no attempt to 
practise medicine. They rely entirely 
upon prayer. They practise only upon 
themselves and upon those who apply to 
them for relief, and in no way do they try 
to force their belief s upon others. 

116 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

Good in Christian Science 

In the New Church Independent we 
find the following brotherly reference to 
Christian Science, its Leader, and one of 
her hymns. We assure our brother that 
his words of tenderness find a grateful 
place in the hearts of all Christian Sci- 
entists : 

We publish in this number a criticism 
on Christian Science, by one of our talent- 
ed contributors, comparing Swedenborg's 
statements with Mrs. Eddy's system. We 
have found a great deal of good in this 
Christian Science faith. It is peaceful — 
quieting — uplifting — spiritualizing. It 
comes to the troubled heart, tossed about 
on the stormy ocean of life, like the voice 
of Christ stilling the tempest. We quote 
from one of Mrs. Eddy's beautiful 
hymns : 

And o'er life's troubled, angry sea, 
I see Christ walk, 
117 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

And come to me, and tenderly, 
Divinely talk. 

Thus Truth engrounds me on the Rock 

Upon Life's shore, 
'Gainst which the winds and waves can 
shock, 

Oh, nevermore ! 

When Christian Science is accused of 
using a hypnotic influence in curing dis- 
eases, it betrays ignorance of the real 
facts. Mrs. Mary Baker G. Eddy de- 
nounces hypnotism, mesmerism, spiritual- 
ism, etc., in her great text -book, Science 
and Health. A careful study of this work 
will richly repay those who take it up in 
an unprejudiced spirit. 



There is much general misunderstand- 
ing concerning the teachings of Christian 
Science as regards diagnosis. It is said 
that Christian Scientists do not know how 
to diagnose disease; do not understand 

118 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

their cases, because they handle them in 
an entirely different way from materia 
medica. The Christian Scientist may not 
test the heart-beats of his patient, but he 
understands how to feel the pulse of men- 
tal causation. Materia medica has re- 
duced the cause of disease to microbes. 
Christian Science has reduced it to mortal 
law. The microbe is not a cause in itself ; 
it is a result, for it must be created. The 
Christian Scientist penetrates beyond mi- 
crobes in his diagnosis; he combats the 
operation of mortal law, not simply its 
effects. He does not diagnose by begin- 
ning with the effect (or disease) and 
from thence work his way back to cause; 
he begins with cause and works from 
thence to effect. We all know that a life- 
less body is no more subject to disease than 
is a statue of Apollo. Therefore the cause 
of disease cannot be physical, but must lie 
in the mental action which operates phys- 
ically, and which is called mortal law, 
mortal life, or mortal mind. To be intel- 

H9 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

ligent, therefore, diagnosis must begin 
with volition, mentality, mortal mind. 
The Christian Scientist certainly does 
diagnose ; but he begins where materia 
medica leaves off. 



To those who have only a theoretical 
rather than a practical knowledge of 
Christian Science and its efficacy, it is 
humanly natural that a dependence upon 
it and the exclusion of medicine should 
seem a neglect rather than a help ; but the 
Christian Scientist who has had experi- 
ence, first with medicine and lastly with 
this Science, has proved convincingly to 
himself that in his dependence upon God 
he has chosen the better part. The ad- 
herents of this faith invite their friends to 
prove Christian Science by experience 
rather than to judge it by its theory as 
compared with that which they already 
believe. The question with the critic 
should not be, Does the new idea agree 

120 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

with older and more thoroughly estab- 
lished beliefs? but, Is it true from the 
standpoint of supreme intelligence and 
practical demonstration? Christian Sci- 
entists may not be doing anything in the 
sight of those who look no farther than 
the material. Jesus and his apostles were 
supposed to be doing something — -the 
greatest possible thing — when they 
prayed for the sick, and the results 
proved this. Our Master was the greatest 
physician, the most successful one whom 
the world has ever known, and yet he 
never administered nor recommended 
medicine. 



The first unfolding of Christian Sci- 
ence thought usually elicits the comment, 
"Why, that is nothing new; Christianity 
has always demanded a fine, high spirit- 
uality." Very true, but the average 
Christian has assumed that to lead a beau- 
tiful and holy life is one thing, while to 

121 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

expect exemption from physical ailments 
as a result is quite another. 

When, in a sincere desire to know the 
truth, men begin to awake to the convic- 
tion that " these signs shall follow" a large 
apprehension of God's love, they find it 
difficult at first to reconcile their sense of 
responsibility for human life to a sugges- 
tion of fatal consequences if the aid of 
materia medica be ignored; nevertheless, 
they recognize more or less clearly that 
the ' 'Denial of the possibility of Christian 
healing robs Christianity of the very ele- 
ment which gave it divine force, and its 
astonishing and unequalled success in the 
first century" (Science and Health, p. 
134). 

All concede that it is right to trust God 
for spiritual sustenance, but doubt enters 
a protest against entire dependence upon 
Him for physical wholeness. Why? 

The highest ideal of spiritual opportu- 
nity that can be conceived was that pre- 
sented to the immediate associates of 

122 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

Jesus and the early disciples. Most Chris- 
tians of to-day feel that, in the illumina- 
tion which radiated from the Master's 
presence, they too would have recognized, 
and been able to profit by the truth, as 
surely as did the seventy, and yet the ques- 
tion of risk would have then confronted 
them, just the same. " Jesus' system of 
healing received no aid or approval from 
other sanitary or religious systems, from 
doctrines of physics or of divinity; and it 
has not yet been generally accepted" (Sci- 
ence and Health, p. 132). 



Christian Scientists are generally sup- 
posed to believe some very foolish things, 
which very naturally afford a good many 
people a great deal of amusement. It was 
once my privilege to present the dignity 
of Christian Science to one who had pre- 
viously considered it an absurdity. He 
said, "All I knew of Christian Science 
was, that I once met a Christian Scientist 

123 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

who said she wasn't sick when she was, and 
I thought her a fool." I then told him 
that she seemed foolish because he did not 
perceive the significance of the term "I," 
adding, "Now when you say T do you 
not refer to that which I see standing be- 
fore me?" He admitted that he did. 
"When we say T we do not refer to the 
flesh at all ; we refer to being. When she 
said 'I am not sick/ she made no reference 
to the body, she meant her being was not 
sick, which was the gospel truth, was it 
not?" He admitted that it was, and add- 
ed, "Then why don't you all say so and be 
done with it?" And I answered, "I am 
saying so." 

Our Master said, "These signs shall fol- 
low them that believe," and the New Tes- 
tament is so filled with the thought of his 
"mighty works" that we wonder why and 
how the world's concept of his mission be- 
came so narrowed as to lose sight of this 
practical side of his ministry. That these 

124 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

signs followed the preaching of Peter 
and the immediate disciples of Jesus is 
shown in the following passage from 
Acts: "And by the hands of the apostles 
were many signs and wonders wrought 
among the people; . . . insomuch 
that they brought forth the sick into the 
streets, and laid them on beds and 
couches, that at the least the shadow of 
Peter passing by might overshadow some 
of them. There came also a multitude out 
of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, 
bringing sick folks, and them which were 
vexed with unclean spirits : and they were 
healed every one." 

Now, as of old, the healing of the body 
is but a phase of the gospel of salvation, 
because man must be "every whit whole," 
and to be in this condition he must be en- 
dowed with all the Christian virtues; he 
must "render therefore unto Caesar the 
things which be Caesar's, and unto God 
the things which be God's;" he must love 
his neighbor as himself. 

125 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

Having been healed, we know whereof 
we speak, and can give competent testi- 
mony in that regard, but apart from this 
the world will form its judgment of our 
Cause and of our spirituality through 
observation of our conduct. 



The human sense that is shocked at the 
scientific declaration of man's spirituality 
and perfection, is shocked either because 
of its own conceit in believing itself to be 
a creator, or else because of its own igno- 
rance of God and consequently of God's 
idea. 



To-day the message which Christian 
Science delivers to mankind, whatever the 
standpoint, is "Acquaint now thyself with 
Him, and be at peace." 



They said of even Jesus, "He hath a 
devil," and "casteth out devils through 

126 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

Beelzebub," or, to use our modern term, 
they said he healed by hypnotism. And 
so in our day also the idea has somehow 
become the vogue that Christian Science 
considers disease to be purely an imag- 
inary condition, and that the healing is 
effected by a sort of hypnotism, or power 
of one mind over another. 

Christian Science Mind-healing, the 
exact antipode of hypnotism, is accom- 
plished by breaking self -mesmerism. That 
which heals by hypnotism, and that which 
heals by destroying hypnotic influence, 
cannot possibly be called the same thing. 
The hypnotist mesmerizes his patient in 
order to heal him; the Christian Scientist 
tmmesmerizes him, and he is healed. The 
Christian Scientist considers the patient 
already mesmerized by the hypnotic sug- 
gestions of fear, belief, sin, etc., and heals 
by ^^mesmerizing him and establishing 
him in his original mind, which produces 
physical sanity. 

Christian Science does not teach the 
127 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

control of one mortal mind over another; 
on the contrary, it teaches the exact oppo- 
site. It teaches mental emancipation. It 
teaches a process of mental culture where- 
by we learn to gain control of our 
thoughts and think the thoughts we 
should think, rather than the thoughts we 
are tempted to think. 

Hypnotism heals by mortal-mind sug- 
gestion. Christian Science Mind-healing 
is accomplished by the spiritual percep- 
tion of being. The Christian Scientist 
heals through what he knows about a well 
man; the doctor heals through what he 
knows about a sick man. 

Every year pilgrimages are made to 
the bone of St. Ann, and through the 
mental state which the sight of this relic 
produces, what is called faith-healing is 
effected. Such healing does not include a 
knowledge of spiritual law, nor is it 
achieved by it. 

Christian Science Mind-healing is the 
application of spiritual law to physical 

128 



Some Truths and Wisdom* of Christian Science 

lawlessness, popularly called disease. 
Healing which is accomplished through 
credulity has nothing in common with 
Christian Science Mind-healing. Per- 
haps none has so keen an appreciation of 
the absurdities of credulity as the Chris- 
tian Scientist, nor so great a desire to 
destroy it. 



Christian Science emphasizes the fact, 
taught throughout the Scriptures, that 
God is the primal source of all supply, and 
gives a practical application, in every-day 
life, of Jesus' advice: "But rather seek ye 
the kingdom of God ; and all these things 
shall be added unto you." 

In helping others to escape from the 
bondage of poverty, Christian Scientists 
are daily performing a great number of 
acts of charity which are for the knowl- 
edge of giver and recipient alone. It 
does not occur to them to tabulate these 

129 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

acts and furnish reports of them to the 
public, nor does the Christian Science de- 
nomination issue any bulletin of these acts. 
It was the advice of Jesus not to sound a 
trumpet when giving alms. He stated: 

''Therefore, when thou doest thine alms, 
do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the 
hypocrites do in the synagogues and in 
the streets, that they may have glory of 
men. Verily I say unto you, They have 
their reward. But when thou doest alms, 
let not thy left hand know what thy right 
hand doeth: that thine alms may be in 
secret: and thy Father which seeth in se- 
cret himself shall reward thee openly." 

Christian Scientists realize that the 
need for almsgiving is the acknowledg- 
ment of failure to cope with the causes of 
poverty. They are removing these causes 
as fast as their spiritual discernment will 
allow. In the meantime, they do not her- 
ald their failures, but are busy preparing 
for a time when almsgiving will no longer 
be necessary. 

ISO 






Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

It is self-evident that a chain is no 
stronger than its weakest link, and in or- 
der to ascertain its strength accurately, it 
must be tested in every part. So it is in 
our ascent into spiritual realities. 

"Seeking is not sufficient. It is striv- 
ing which enables us to enter" (Science 
and Health, p. 10), and as Jesus "was in 
all points tempted like as we are, yet with- 
out sin," so must we be tried in all points 
and be found without sin. 

Faith in Christian Science is not blind, 
it is perfect reliance upon God; but our 
faith must be tested, and in Science and 
Health, page 23, we learn that faith has 
two definitions, trustfulness and trust- 
worthiness, and that God's demands upon 
us are for "self-reliant trustworthiness, 
which includes spiritual understanding 
and confides all to God." 



No one who has sat beside those whose 
cases have been abandoned as hopeless by 

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Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

material means, and has seen the fever 
fade from the face, the breathing become 
regular, and the suffering vanish under 
the benign influence of Christian Science 
prayer ; no one who has witnessed the fre- 
quently instantaneous resuscitations of 
such patients by their deliverance from 
the curse of fear, and has been privileged 
to receive their deep-felt gratitude, could 
ever again be induced to speak slight- 
ingly of the "denial of evil." Nor could 
anyone who has heard the story of moral 
regeneration by means of Christian Sci- 
ence from the very lips of those who were 
formerly debauched and depraved, ever 
express anything but respect for the 
teachings which produce such results. 



Mrs. Eddy says, in " Science and 
Health, with Key to the Scriptures," page 
384, "Let us reassure ourselves with the 
law of Love. God never punishes man 
for doing right, for honest labor, or for 

132 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

deeds of kindness, though they expose 
him to fatigue, cold, heat, contagion. If 
he incurs the penalty through matter, it 
is but a belief of mortal mind, not an en- 
actment of Wisdom ; and man has only to 
enter his protest against this belief in or- 
der to annul it." And when things seem 
to be going wrong, when the pathway be- 
comes weary, and the burden seems heavy, 
instead of looking in the wrong direction, 
instead of wondering why God is sending 
afflictions upon you, banish such thoughts, 
and look in the right direction ; look within 
yourself. 



It has been asked why Christian Sci- 
entists omit the word "Amen" at the end 
of the Lord's Prayer. Without assuming 
to be authority, one sense of it is this : the 
word "Amen" is a sort of added petition 
that the prayer just made be answered. 
"So let it be;" "Let this prayer be an- 
swered." But the spiritual sense of this 

iss 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

prayer as we have it in the chapter on 
"Prayer/ 5 in "Science and Health, with 
Key to the Scriptures," is that of simple 
affirmation of the great facts of God and 
of Being. The great fact which we need 
to know is that he is "Our Father-Mother 
God;" He is the "Adorable One;" "En- 
able us to know — as in heaven, so on earth 
— God is supreme;" "Love leadeth us not 
into temptation;" "God is now and for- 
ever all Life, Truth, and Love." So 
there is no need of a final petition. 

The great sin of material sense is that 
there is some doubt about God, about His 
presence, His power, His goodness ; about 
His response to us in need, His care for 
us; His mercy and His healing. The 
great work that Christian Science is do- 
ing for this age is to reinstate the con- 
sciousness that God is the one fact that is 
greater than all the universe, and we need 
to dwell absolutely and forever in the 
glory of this fact. 



1U 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

So far as I have demonstrated the un- 
derstanding, so far I rejoice in the fact 
that Christian Science can and does bring 
good alone. If failure comes, it is due to 
lack of understanding and not to error in 
either premise or conclusion of Christian 
Science. It is indeed the Science of 
Mind, and as such is "founded on a rock. 55 
Higher thought cannot go than that "All 
is Mind." 

In this lies the possible and certain so- 
lution of the ills of material existence. 
Sin, sickness, and death, with their repel- 
lent atmosphere of misery, can be de- 
stroyed on no other basis. To one who 
has proof of the power of this truth it 
seems pitiful to see the advocates of mat- 
ter continuing their warfare. Matter 
striving with matter is indeed the cup of 
Tantalus, the burden of Sisyphus. 

The time has come of which the Saviour 
spoke when he said, "That which ye have 
spoken in the ear shall be proclaimed upon 
the housetop." Evil is uncovered by this 

135 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

God-given truth, and the glorious free- 
dom promised by Christ Jesus, "Ye shall 
know the truth, and the truth shall make 
you free," is here. 

Every Christian Scientist that has felt 
the touch of the healing power, can but 
send forth heartfelt love to the one 
through whom the truth has been given. 
We know, as Mrs. Eddy says, that "the 
mind to which this Science was revealed 
must have risen to the altitude which per- 
ceived a light beyond what others saw" 
( Retrospection and Introspection, p. 92 ) . 
Every faithful student of Christian Sci- 
ence (and no other can be a competent 
judge, on the fair basis that we can know 
only what we have proven) realizes that 
this statement is not egotistical, but a sci- 
entific fact based on divine Principle. We 
realize this — not accept it merely, but 
know it — through our own growth and 
demonstration — to be true. 

While the world looks on and cries 
"hero-worship," we stand in loving thank- 

136 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

fulness to God that there could be found 
among mankind one fitted to become an 
avenue for Truth's manifestation, and in 
grateful recognition of the suffering 
through which she has triumphantly 
passed in delivering her message. We 
realize also, as never before, the thought 
of Jesus when he said, "Father, forgive 
them; for they know not what they do." 

It is said that when a certain noted man 
was asked what kind of a world he would 
make, had he the making of it, he replied 
briefly, "A health-catching world." This 
is what Christian Science offers to man- 
kind. A world of health and harmony in- 
stead of disease and discord. This is the 
Christianity of the Sermon on the Mount 
— "The kingdom of God is within you." 
And this its Science — as a man thinketh, 
so is he. To those ready to receive it, it 
has brought a reason for the hope that is 
within them. 



137 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

There seem to be many unconscious as 
well as many unconscionable, deceivers 
on this earth. These unconscious sinners 
are so numerous that we find them nearly 
everywhere — on the street-cars, on the 
corners, at social gatherings, in churches, 
in stores, and conspicuously at weddings, 
funerals, and picnics. 

Prevarications seem to run out of their 
mouths as easily as water runs from an 
inverted bottle that has lost its stopper. 
And yet they seem to be wholly unaware 
that they are deceiving at all. They are 
suffering from the effects of unfortunate 
associations and teachings. Many of 
them are highly intelligent people in most 
things, and many of them are governed 
by excellent intentions. These considera- 
tions greatly mitigate, if they do not 
wholly extinguish, their moral guiltiness; 
but they cannot prevent the multitudinous 
evil consequences from the falsehoods 
which perpetually proceed out of their 
mouths. 

138 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

These unconscious sinners have many 
modes and methods in telling their un- 
truths. A large class of them are addict- 
ed to the vicious habit of remarking that 
the weather is very bad for sick people 
and for catching colds; and responsive 
shiverings and coughings may frequently 
be witnessed on the part of themselves or 
of those near them. 

Another class is sadly given over, as 
soon as their heads begin to be frosted, to 
the counting of their years, and to the re- 
counting of beliefs about rheumatism, 
etc., so that they keep groaning increas- 
ingly to the end of their tether. Another 
class becomes immediately prominent 
when such words as "measles" or "whoop- 
ing-cough" get abroad in their neighbor- 
hood, and such learned words as "bac- 
teria," "germs," and "microbes" afford 
them peculiar delight. 

The harm which is constantly being 
done unwittingly by these croakers and 
gossips is very great. Yet it did not seem 
139 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

to be recognized, and no serious endeavors 
were put forth to check it, until Chris- 
tian Science uncovered and revealed its 
enormity. 

Medical practitioners might have been 
heard recommending cheerful words for 
the sick-room, and rebuking gloomy 
looks and prophecies in the presence of 
their patients. The need for this had been 
brought to their attention by their every- 
day observations. But, strange as it may 
seem to us now, this did not lead the med- 
ical profession to any broad and scientific 
analysis of the mental causation of dis- 
ease; and the unlicensed freedom of gar- 
rulous tongues everywhere talking sick- 
ness and error, thereby inflicting immeas- 
urable mischief upon humanity, continued 
unabated. 

If the medical profession had not been 
so exclusively engrossed in experiment- 
ing with the different drugs which, one 
after another, they have tried, extolled, 
and then abandoned as worse than useless, 

140 



Some Tmths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

it is probable that they would long since 
have reasoned out and learned that the 
mental causes which they fortuitously 
have found to affect the sick are also 
operative upon all persons. 

If Christian Science had accomplished 
nothing else than the broad awakening 
among the better-informed classes of our 
people to the urgent need for bridling our 
tongues against gossiping about sickness 
and evil, it would be entitled to the lasting 
gratitude of our race. 

Religious thought is also being slowly 
aroused to the perception that Christian 
Science is declaring a great spiritual fact 
when it teaches that all such gossip is a lie. 
There is a Christian awakening to the per- 
ception that it is either a lie, or else 
atheism is right. The mill of the logic 
which leads to this perception may seem 
to be grinding slowly, but it is grinding 
inexorably. 

Christian Scientists cannot be too posi- 
tive in their denial of these misstatements, 

141 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

for it is peculiarly true in respect to them 
that it is that which cometh out of the 
mouth which defileth a man. 

We read in Homer that Achilles hated 
liars, because their mouths were the gates 
of hell. Unconscious offenders who form 
the subject of this writing, however un- 
witting their sin may be, are indeed mak- 
ing their mouths "the gates of hell." 
From those evil gates are constantly issu- 
ing hosts more numerous and malignant 
than those which Milton's imagination de- 
picted. They seize upon old and young 
alike, and paling cheeks and dimming 
eyes witness the terrors of their presence. 
Christian Science says to them, "Avaunt!" 
And confidently marching against them 
under the shining and unconquerable ban- 
ners of Truth, the ever-growing army of 
Christian Science is already proving itself 
able to drive from the earth the phantom- 
army of error. 



142 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

The human need of Christian Science 
signifies that Christianity has been only 
partly understood, else God would not 
have been forgotten in times of trouble; 
and that in its perfect practice men may 
find their dominion over sin made possible, 
and the healing Principle of Jesus daily 
at their hand. In the success of this move- 
ment all false systems, whatever is not the 
outcome of good, whatever has usurped in 
the hearts and minds of men the allegiance 
due to God alone, all these may read their 
certain end; for simultaneous with the 
growth of truth in the human mind is the 
decadence of error. 

God alone is responsible for His work. 
If He has set His signet on Christian Sci- 
ence through its beneficent healing and 
reformatory influence, Christian Scien- 
tists have no need to be ashamed. 

The state of thought whose eyes are 
closed will fail to see the beauty and 
sweet reasonableness of Christian Science, 
and may even credit Beelzebub with its 

143 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

benison of good; but the man of open 
mind, the untrammelled thinker, will see 
in the magnitude and impetus of this 
great spiritual movement the beginning 
of a new era for the race ; an era of eman- 
cipation from matter, from the bonds of 
superstition, from all that separates man 
from his conscious supremacy over evil, 
and his eternal unity with good, as God's 
son. 



While there is a place for petition, the 
expression of desire, yet the great need 
that mortals have is the consciousness of 
God and the universe in their fulness ; and 
one means of gaining this is the affirma- 
tion of this as the ever-present fact and 
joy. We do not need to pray the sun to 
shine on us, all we need to do is to put 
ourselves into his light as it is radiated 
into all space. That is the affirmation of 
the truth. So we do not need to petition 
God to come to us. He is radiating life, 

144 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

truth, and love into all the universe, and 
what we need is to assert this fact to our- 
selves so that the consciousness of it shall 
be clear to us. 

We do not need to pray for the air to 
be about us, we cannot well get away from 
it, there is a pressure of fifteen pounds to 
the square inch exerted upon us all the 
time. All we need to do is to put our- 
selves into the open space and let it flood 
us round about. So we do not need to 
pray God to be present with us, for no 
figure can adequately express the fulness 
and constancy of God's presence in the 
universe. All we need to do is to affirm 
the fact and assent the reality of it so con- 
tinuously that it will be an ever-abiding 
consciousness. 



A correct conclusion cannot be obtained 
from a false premise. There must be a 
perfect Principle, Source, or Cause from 
which to deduce a right idea. The fact 

145 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

that there is a perfect idea of anything 
makes a counterfeit of that idea possible, 
so long as there is a belief of a human 
mind, and conversely, it would be impos- 
sible to have a counterfeit if there was not 
the genuine original. There could not be 
a counterfeit dollar if there were not the 
perfect dollar. The true sense of counter- 
feit does not necessarily imply a likeness 
to the original, but rather emphasizes the 
unlikeness, as is clearly shown in the dis- 
tinction between counterfeit and imita- 
tion: to imitate is to assume a general 
likeness on a true basis: a counterfeit is 
the assumption of a likeness on a false 
basis. 

Now if a man were trying to detect the 
different counterfeits of a dollar, would 
he not first study and know thoroughly 
the perfect dollar, and through this 
knowledge be able to detect the counter- 
feit in every form? Would it be possible 
to know the real dollar by studying the 
different counterfeits? 

146 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

Applying this illustration of the per- 
fect dollar and its counterfeit to man, it 
might be said that because, according to 
belief, there is a mortal man, imperfect, 
sinful, sick, and dying, this of itself indi- 
cates that there must be a perfect, sinless, 
whole, and immortal man somewhere. 



Christian Science is not a revelation in 
any supernatural sense. It was reached 
by logical steps consistent with clear rea- 
soning, and is, therefore, strictly scien- 
tific in the proper sense of the word. The 
discoverer of Christian Science investi- 
gated and observed many methods before 
she reached the spiritual understanding of 
what she denominated Christian Science. 

In her autobiography, "Retrospection 
and Introspection," Mrs. Eddy relates 
the circumstances surrounding her dis- 
covery : 

"The discovery came to pass in this 
way. During twenty years prior to my 

147 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

discovery I had been trying to trace all 
physical effects to a mental cause ; and in 
the latter part of 1866 I gained the Sci- 
entific certainty that all causation was 
Mind, and every effect a mental phe- 
nomenon. 

"My immediate recovery from the 
effects of an injury caused by an acci- 
dent, an injury that neither medicine nor 
surgery could reach, was the falling apple 
that led me to the discovery how to be well 
myself, and how to make others so." 

After the discovery that divine Spirit 
had healed her, Mrs. Eddy began her 
search for the modus operandi of this 
healing. She writes, on page 109 of Sci- 
ence and Health : 

"For three years after my discovery I 
sought the solution of this problem of 
Mind-healing; searched the Scriptures, 
read little else; kept aloof from society, 
and devoted time and energies to discov- 
ering a positive rule. The search was 
sweet, calm, and buoyant with hope, not 

148 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

selfish nor depressing. I knew the Prin- 
ciple of all harmonious Mind-action to be 
God, and that cures were produced, in 
primitive Christian healing, by holy, up- 
lifting faith; but I must know its Science, 
and I won my way to absolute conclusions, 
through divine revelation, reason, and 
demonstration." 

Finally, after the discovery of the heal- 
ing Principle of Christian Science, came 
her application to existing conditions. On 
page 111 we read: 

"I submitted my metaphysical system 
of treating disease to the broadest prac- 
tical tests. Since then this system has 
gradually gained ground, and has proved 
itself, whenever scientifically employed, to 
be the most effective curative agent in 
medical practice." 



Christian Scientists have not reached a 
condition of spiritual growth where they 
can refrain from material customs, food, 
149 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

clothing, etc., neither do they expect to 
arrive at this state so long as they exist in 
the flesh, but they do claim that they are 
enabled to overcome all fear of food and 
all undue love of it, as a mere gustatory 
enjoyment. 

They are taught that they have domin- 
ion over food rather than that food has 
dominion over them. Many of them 
would have ceased eating on earth long 
ago if Christian Science had not made it 
possible for them to digest and assimilate 
their food. We are commanded by Jesus 
to take no thought of what we shall eat. 
There is a vast difference between the 
consciousness of an individual under the 
bondage of fear and belief that food can 
harm or kill him, and one knowing that 
God's law governs all action, even the 
action of food. 

Jesus ate after the resurrection. There 
is nothing to indicate that the food was 
any less material or that the action of the 
physical functions was not the same as be- 

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Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

fore the resurrection, yet his consciousness 
must have been more spiritual than before, 
and far higher than those who partook of 
the food with him. 

It might reasonably be considered 
sacrilegious for a dyspeptic Christian, 
who would not presume to partake of a 
meal without invoking the divine blessing, 
to ask God to bless the food and sanctify 
it to his use, then evince so little confidence 
in his prayer as to abstain from the food 
for fear it might make him sick, or per- 
haps kill him. 

The majority of people, Christian peo- 
ple, live in continual fear and doubt, and 
when in need of help seek it through ma- 
terial rather than spiritual means, thereby 
shutting themselves out from a response 
to their petitions, and virtually admitting 
that they do not believe God fulfils His 
own promises, or cares for His own. 

Christian Science comes to rescue man- 
kind from just such errors, fears, and 
doubts. Instead of violating or pro- 

151 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

f aning the sacred things of God, it recog- 
nizes God as omnipotent, the only Mind, 
Principle, Life, and Intelligence of the 
universe and man. 



Mrs. Eddy and all her followers must 
enjoy their religious liberty and be per- 
mitted to live, practise, and teach the truth 
as taught and demonstrated by Jesus 
Christ. If any system of healing is not 
of truth, and hence not carried on accord- 
ing to the Principle of all science, God, no 
one ought to find fault if the healing of 
Truth and Love supersedes it and draws 
men into it. No one ought to be more 
ready to concede this point than a minis- 
ter of Jesus Christ. 



The "imagination" is not the key which 
unlocks the gates of the kingdom of 
heaven. Nor can human will-power pick 
the lock, even when educated to the ex- 
tent of producing the phenomena of mes- 

152 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

merism or hypnotism. On the contrary, 
it is the surrender of "imagination" in be- 
half of understanding, and of all human 
will-power in behalf of God's will, which 
fits man to discard the fiction of material 
existence and to understand the facts of 
spiritual Being, and thus enter into the 
kingdom of heaven. 

The modus operandi of Christian Sci- 
ence does not consist of willing anybody 
to do anything; but it affirms the Truth 
concerning God and man and the uni- 
verse, and thus enables man to take pos- 
session of his birthright and inheritance, 
namely, health, happiness, and holiness. 

The day has passed when the Gospel or 
Good-News of Christian Science can be 
made to pass for a compound of good and 
evil. It is wholly religious and purely 
spiritual. The results of compound sys- 
tems can no longer be laid at the door of 
Christian Science, as taught by Mrs. 
Eddy in the Christian Science text-book. 



153 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

It has been said that Christian Science 
incites unsympathetic conduct, going so 
far as to produce unsympathetic mother- 
hood. Christian Science enlightens the 
mother. It shows her how to shield her 
child from her own fears and ignorance; 
teaches her self-control; teaches her also 
not to weep when her child weeps, yawn 
when her child yawns, and have disease 
when it has disease. It enables her to keep 
her self-possession; it gives her a greater 
helpfulness in time of need, thereby qual- 
ifying her to express a larger, more self- 
less love. Christian Science motherhood 
denies the selfishness of a greedy love; it 
holds out a wondrous protecting love, 
offering self-help, self-government, self- 
protection, in the form of a selfless 
mother-love. 



If Jesus had left nothing but the Par- 
ables, his name would have been imper- 
ishable in literature ; if he had bequeathed 

154 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

to posterity nothing but the simplicity of 
his speech and the irresistible logic of his 
argument, he would have had a perma- 
nent place among the orators of the 
world ; if he had given to the world noth- 
ing but the commandment, "Thou shalt 
love thy neighbor as thyself," enforced as 
it was by his own example, this one gift 
would have been sufficient to outweigh all 
the wealth of all the world ; if he had left 
no record but the Sermon on the Mount, 
it alone would have made his natal day 
worthy of perpetual celebration: but all 
these, added to the matchless majesty of 
a perfect life and the inspiring influence 
of an all-pervading love, are turning the 
eyes of an ever-increasing number to the 
path that he trod from the manger to the 
cross. 



If a pupil in mathematics makes a mis- 
take it is neither the fault of the text-book 
of mathematics nor of the author of the 

155 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

text -book. Neither has the principle of 
mathematics upon which the text-book is 
based been impaired or destroyed by the 
blunder or failure of the pupil. 

So, in the demonstration of Christian 
Science, if the student blunders or fails to 
prove the Principle of the Christian Sci- 
ence text-book, it is neither the fault of 
the text-book nor of its author. Neither 
has the Principle of Christian Science 
upon which the text-book is based been im- 
paired or destroyed by the blunder or 
failure of the Christian Science student. 



Now, if Christian Scientists as a body 
choose to endorse the sale of the Christian 
Science text-book, as the best possible 
means of bringing health and happiness 
to those who are searching for these bless- 
ings, and if the author of this text-book 
thereby receives compensation, which is 
used in turn in such manner as she deems 

156 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

best for the needs of the denomination, 
why should anyone complain? 

Mrs. Eddy receives no salary as Pastor 
Emeritus of The First Church of Christ, 
Scientist, in Boston, nor as recognized 
leader of the Christian Science movement 
all over the world. 

If the income derived from the sale of 
her books is ample, the list of her constant 
gifts is a large one too; but is generally 
known only to those who receive the gifts, 
or whose business it is to know them. The 
pamphlet entitled " Christian Science His- 
tory," published in 1899, showed that Mrs. 
Eddy had expended large sums annually 
in charities, according to a statement fur- 
nished by her bookkeeper and taken ver- 
batim from her books. This statement 
was made necessary by repeated public 
misrepresentations of Mrs. Eddy's pri- 
vate affairs. 

Is there a living writer who has given 
the world a book from whose teachings a 
million or more cures have been effected? 

157 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

If there be such a writer, let him come 
forward and object to the sale of Science 
and Health. Let it be clearly under- 
stood that no one is forced to take Chris- 
tian Science treatment, or to buy or sell 
the Christian Science text-book, to receive 
instruction in Christian Science, or to con- 
tribute toward the building or main- 
tenance of any Christian Science church 
or reading-room. 

If persons do expend money for any 
of these purposes, they do so of their own 
free will and in return for benefits re- 
ceived. I have never yet heard anyone 
complain of the price of the Christian Sci- 
ence text-book who really wanted to buy 
the book ; the only complaints come from 
persons who do not buy the book. 

It is difficult to understand what 
grounds for complaint such persons have. 
But, as a matter of fact, I have heard 
many persons say that no sum of money 
could adequately pay for the blessed hope 
and glorious regeneration which this book 

158 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

had brought them. Moreover, what are 
the current prices of various text-books on 
medicine, theology, and the numerous 
physical sciences? 

Experience proves that they are expen- 
sive as a class, and that many of them are 
needed in order to cover one subject. But 
the Christian Science text-book covers the 
whole subject of Christian Science, and is 
a "Key to the Scriptures." 

Let anyone price the various commen- 
taries, concordances, helps, and interpret- 
ers in any book-store, and they will be 
found expensive, as the term goes, though 
no one would dream of accusing any pub- 
lishing firm, Bible House, or denomina- 
tional book concern which issues them of 
being a "trust." 

All religious denominations supervise 
the instruction of their teachers and 
license their clergymen. They owe this to 
the public as well as to themselves. Such 
restraints are justified by general opin- 
ion in the case of all denominations. Why 

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Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

should anyone consider them as marks of 
a "trust" when applied by Christian Sci- 
entists? 

The public has already been sufficiently 
deceived in times past as to what Christian 
Science is or is not, as to what it does or 
does not. No one who has the good of 
Christian Science or of the public at heart 
would suggest that unprepared and pos- 
sibly unscrupulous individuals should be 
allowed to call themselves teachers of 
Christian Science. 

The same precautions are necessary in 
regard to Christian Science literature. In 
order that the public may know that such 
literature states the teachings of Chris- 
tian Science correctly, it must be properly 
accredited by those who know from per- 
sonal experience what Christian Science 
is. For this reason, there is a responsible 
Christian Science Publishing Society. 
Mrs. Eddy herself derives no income ex- 
cept from the sale of her own books — 
which is a privilege no author would wish 

160 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

to deny another — and a small interest on 
some of her money. 

Christian Science is for all who want 
Christian Science. 

Its teachings are already practised by 
a large number of earnest and intelligent 
people according to their understanding 
of its demands. 

It is true that these teachings are found 
in a text-book; that somebody wrote this 
text-book; that this text-book is sold to 
those who want to buy it ; and that, in ac- 
cordance with customary business meth- 
ods, it is sold for cash. 

Is there anything in this condition of 
affairs which calls for criticism? 

It would seem sometimes as though cer- 
tain critics were trying to persuade Mrs. 
Eddy that she should apologize for hav- 
ing written Science and Health, and 
would like Christian Scientists to force 
their text-book as a free tract even upon 
those who may not want it. 



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Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 



The Appeal of Christian Healing 

Fortunate is it that the things of God 
stand fast, unmoved either by the con- 
demnation of foes or the praise of friends. 
Christian Scientists are not disturbed by 
the mis judgment of those who misunder- 
stand their faith, but they do rejoice in 
every indication that the truths of their 
faith are appearing to those who are 
looked to as religious guides, and whose 
enlightened convictions are sure to prove 
avenues of healing for others. 

The late Dr. Joseph Parker, of the 
City Temple, London, has been recog- 
nized as a man of rare endowment. Spir- 
itual perception, sincerity, earnestness, 
reverence, love — all these contributed to a 
life of unusual glow and effectiveness. 
"A great man with a great theme — it is a 
dull-eyed soul who saw n a great spirit 
with mighty experiences looking out of 
the windows of the house which he in- 

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Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

habited" — thus has one spoken of him 
who knew him well, and it is this man, a 
life-long student of the Bible, who has 
written the paragraphs that follow re- 
specting a distinctive teaching of Chris- 
tian Science. 

"If we believe the New Testament we 
believe that men were once 'made whole' 
without medicine or doctor. If this was 
a fact in New Testament times, why may 
it not become a fact in the present day? 
If it is a fact, it is the most beneficent fact 
in history, and being such, it ought, if pos- 
sible, to be recalled and re-established. 

"To grasp the question widely and 
thoroughly, we must go back to Christ's 
own day and think with him. We have 
no concern with knaveries, empiricisms, 
or fraud and pretence of any kind; all 
these must be banished from the mind, or 
they will create prejudices which truth 
itself cannot penetrate. First of all let 
us strive after simplicity of mind; that is 
essential to progress. Did Christ heal 

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Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

men? Yes, he did. Did Christ's apostles 
heal men? Yes, they did. Was the heal- 
ing mechanical, surgical, medicinal? No, 
it was not. Was the healing spiritual, 
sympathetic, mental? Yes, it was. Is 
Christ the same yesterday, to-day, and 
forever? Yes, he is. Does Christ still 
live and work and reign? Yes, he does. 
That settles the case. Suffering is the 
same, Christ is the same, love is the 
same. . . • 

"I have not the shadow of a doubt that 
the material will decrease and the spiritual 
will increase. . . . Mind created all 
things, why should not Mind rule them?" 



George MacDonald defines religion as 
"the way back home to the Father." 
Christian Science is the way home to prim- 
itive Christianity as Jesus taught it. 



The possibility of healing the sick and 
reaching the divine aid through prayer 

164 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

may not seem probable to the philosoph- 
ical mind, but we think this is because the 
nature of God as well as the scientific, in- 
telligent method of approaching Him is 
not understood. 

The materialism of the age, in a great 
degree, not only obscures the essence and 
power of God, which is invisible to the 
personal senses, but hinders the interest in 
cause and effect from a spiritual stand- 
point. 

It should not be a matter of astonish- 
ment that the laymen should be skeptical 
in respect to the efficacy of prayer, when 
some of our clergymen ridicule the prac- 
tice of depending upon God to the ex- 
clusion of medicine as a means of healing 
the sick. 

It is a great strain upon one's fidelity 
to the Bible to attempt to explain away 
prayer rather than to admit that the diffi- 
culty lies in the kind of prayer employed, 
and the true prayer is always practical. 

The substitution of material means for 
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Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

the power of Christ in healing the sick, the 
advocacy of magnetic influence as a 
proper substitute for the Holy Ghost in 
converting sinners, tends to infidelity and 
depreciation of the validity of the Holy 
Scriptures. 

Christian Science coming just at this 
period is none too early. 

While it is doing marvellous things in 
healing the sick and reforming sinners, it 
is also saving the Bible itself. 

Material philosophy, so-called, research 
which does not extend into the realms of 
the spiritual but takes note only of human 
phenomena, would eventually leave the 
world wrapped in cold materialism. 



Christian Science urges the highest 
ideal of absolute Good, and that ideal is 
the real: it worships God as "All in all," 
obeying the first commandment, "Thou 
shalt have no other gods before me;" it 
protests against materialism, for "to be 

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Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

carnally minded is death; but to be spir- 
itually minded is life and peace." 

"The natural man receiveth not the 
things of the Spirit of God : for they are 
foolishness unto him : neither can he know 
them, because they are spiritually dis- 
cerned;' 5 but what is clearer than the 
words "God is Love/' and this is the key- 
note of the symphony of progress in 
Christian Science. What interests all to 
know is whether it effects transformation 
in thought and character, stamps the im- 
press of the divine image and likeness, 
ennobles the individual, and establishes an 
environment of peace and power, an at- 
mosphere of harmony, health, and happi- 
ness. 

If so, we can dispense with old concep- 
tions and traditional beliefs, or reconcile 
them to this new revelation of the sig- 
nificance of time-honored truth, which 
never changes and bends not to man-made 
theories. It tells us that sin, sickness, and 
death are not the product of any divine 

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Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

law, but the myths of a dream; that "man 
is spiritual and not material" (Science 
and Health, p. 468), and we are not in- 
terested in disputing these statements 
merely because they are at variance with 
teachings that clergymen and physicians 
have honestly and earnestly inculcated; 
but we are led, by a responsive inner coun- 
sel, to investigate impartially and learn 
for ourselves if there is beauty, and joy, 
and affluence that await our possession 
here and now — if the kingdom of God is 
within us. (Luke xvii. 21.) 



Looking at Things Unseen 

Many careless or thoughtless people 
declare: "I will believe nothing that I can- 
not see, or know through the senses." 
This declaration may lead others to put 
off the day of learning of the real and 
eternal, because it sounds to them like be- 
ing on guard against what is unreliable. 



Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

A little thought, however, will show 
such an one that he is believing many 
things that his material senses have not 
taught him because their testimony is op- 
posed to what he knows is true. He sees 
the sun seem to rise in the east and set in 
the west, but he knows that this is caused 
by the revolution of the earth from west 
to east. He sees a flat earth, but he does 
not believe it is flat, as did people in olden 
times, for he knows that science has 
proved that the earth is round. 

He certainly cannot see or perceive 
through material sense, the passage of 
sound through the telephone, nor the 
transmission of messages by wireless 
telegraphy. He will find so many things 
all about him that he accepts because they 
have been demonstrated to be true, yet 
which he can neither see, hear, feel, taste, 
nor smell, that he will be forced to admit 
his mistake. 

Now let him turn to Paul's words: 
"For the things which are seen are tem- 
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Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

poral; but the things which are not seen 
are eternal," and he can, if he will, begin 
to awaken to know something of the real. 
All that you love in those dear to you — 
gentleness, patience, faithfulness, joy, 
kindness, meekness — indeed all the good 
things of which Paul speaks, saying, 
" Think on these things" — are among the 
"things unseen" which are the real and the 
eternal. 

Christian Science teaches us of these 
"things unseen," and proves that they are 
the spiritual facts, while the "things which 
are seen," or perceived through material 
sense, are temporal, lasting for a time, 
only to disappear when the opposite truth 
is presented. Hence if we have taken 
only the material sense of the Scriptures, 
we have not been gaining the imperish- 
able riches that it has for all who seek and 
find its spiritual meaning. Science and 
Health tells us, page 128: "If one would 
not quarrel with his fellow-man for wak- 
ing him from a cataleptic nightmare, he 

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Some Truths and Wisdom of Christian Science 

should not resist Truth, which banishes — 
yea, forever destroys with the higher tes- 
timony of Spirit — the so-called evidences 
of matter." 



THE END 



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